Loudoun Now for Feb. 3, 2022

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FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Hayley Bour/Loudoun Now

Colin Doniger speaks at the Jan. 24 Loudoun County School Board meeting.

Families Sue School Board Over Mask Mandate

BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

Three families are suing the School Board in Circuit Court over the division’s mask requirement, which they claim is in violation of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s executive order, and that the board is denying children an in-person education.

The school division is continuing with required masking in school buildings re-

gardless of vaccination status. Youngkin signed an executive order Jan. 15 seeking to make masks optional in schools beginning Jan. 24. But the School Board voted to support Superintendent Scott Ziegler’s decision to continue with the masking requirement.

The plaintiffs include Kristen Barnett, Heather Yescavage, and former candidate for the open Leesburg District School Board seat, Colin Doniger. All of them

have children enrolled in Loudoun County Public Schools.

“The School Board’s actions have directly interfered with the right of each parent here … to make educational decisions for their children, all of whom have been directly and irreparably harmed by the unlawful Universal Mask Mandate and would attend their respective Loudoun County Public Schools maskfree if it were not for the Mandate,”

the filing reads.

Youngkin’s executive order also is the subject of a lawsuit from other school boards, who argue that the order is illegal because it conflicts with state law. Senate Bill 1303, signed into law last year, requires that school divisions provide fulltime in-person instruction, and to follow Centers for Disease Control and PrevenMASK MANDATE continues on page 30

Supervisors Aim to End Emergency, Wind Down Vaccination Clinic

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Loudoun County supervisors are looking toward an end to required masking in county facilities and the two-yearlong state of local emergency as the latest surge of COVID-19 infections shows signs of subsiding.

Loudoun is ahead of the curve compared to the commonwealth at-large in more than one way—the county has one of the state’s highest vaccination rates, with nearly 83% of the adult population

vaccinated and 46.5% of the adult population having received a booster shot, and the county also is further past the winter peak in infections. Statewide, as of Tuesday, while infections are declining rapidly, they remain higher than at any other point in the pandemic. Loudoun’s levels have continued their precipitous drop from an early January high and on Tuesday dropped below last winter’s peak.

That has supervisors, like everyone else, anxious to get back to normal.

During their meeting Tuesday, some supervisors pushed to find a date to take

masks off regardless of infection rates.

Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) asked the board to direct the board’s Finance, Government Operations and Economic Development Committee, which she now chairs, to establish a date certain to end the county’s mask requirement for visitors to county buildings.

Supervisors Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) and Caleb E. Kershner (R-Catoctin) expressed support.

But during the debate, that initiative was changed to direct that visitors to county buildings will no longer be re-

quired to wear masks once the county drops below CDC metrics for the highest levels of transmission—a policy County Administrator Tim Hemstreet told supervisors he had in mind anyway. That motion passed 5-4, with Supervisors Sylvia R. Glass (D-Ashburn), Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian), Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) and Vice Chairman Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) opposed.

The CDC’s guidance recommends taking every mitigation measure such as masking and social distancing when the EMERGENCY continues on page 30

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Delegates May Block Reelection of Loudoun Circuit Court Judge

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudonnow.com

Two Loudoun County Circuit Court Judges are up for reappointment during this year’s General Assembly session and the typically routine reelection is in question for one of them.

Stephen E. Sincavage was appointed to the bench by Gov. Bob McDonnell in 2013 to fill the seat of retired Judge James H. Chamblin. He elected to a full eightyear term in 2014. His term expires this month.

Jeanette A. Irby was elected to the bench in 2014 to fill the seat of retired Judge Thomas D. Horne. Her term expires Dec. 1.

Both were proposed for reelection by the state Senate, but during a vote on the floor of the House of Delegates last week, Irby’s name was one of two judges removed from the nomination list. The House subsequently voted to approve the nomination of Judge Tanya Bullock of the Second Circuit in Virginia Beach, but a vote to add Irby back on the list was

passed by for the day on the motion of Courts of Justice Committee Vice Chairman Les R. Adams (R-16). As of Tuesday, her nomination had not been revisited. A third judge, Lynn S. Brice of the 12th Circuit in Chesterfield was nominated by the House, but not the Senate.

During a Dec. 10 interview before members of the House Courts of Justice Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee, questions to Irby centered on her low scores in the Judicial Performance Evaluations, which include input from attorneys and courtroom staff members. Irby was ranked 47th among the 50 Circuit, District and Juvenile and Domestic Relations judges up for reelection. She received low scores in eight of the 20 evaluation categories, including fairness, impartiality, and courtesy and respect.

“I find it to be one of the most fulfilling positions I have had throughout my career. I would like to continue because I feel I continue to grow with my experience,” she told the assembly members.

She noted that it takes a few years to get up to speed on the bench and said she con-

tinues to strive for improvements.

Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-25), co-chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee asked about the low scores for demeanor and knowledge of the law.

“Personally, they were disappointing to me. But when I took a step back and looked at it, I thought there is room for me to make some improvements, to assess what I am doing, to try to really ascertain what I can do to focus on to make myself a better judge,” Irby said.

She said the evaluations and her work with more experienced court mentors were important as she continues to grow in the job.

“The feedback is very important to me because you know many times people don’t want to give feedback to a judge,” she said. “It was very helpful to me to recognize that my perceptions of what I was doing was not perceived the way I thought it was.”

“I can only promise you that I will continue to do all that I can to deliver justice and an experience in my courtroom where LOUDOUN JUDGES continues on page 30

Republicans Line Up for New 10th District Primary

BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

Eight Republicans have so far thrown their hats in the ring for a chance to challenge Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10), including three current local elected officials.

A firehouse primary is planned for May 21.

Loudoun School Board member John Beatty (Catoctin), IT director at The Heights School, an Opus Dei-backed private Catholic preparatory school in Maryland; Manassas City Council member and communications and marketing company Tackle Management Corp founder Theresa Coates Ellis; and Prince William County Supervisor Jeanine Lawson are all in the race. They are competing with Oracle Vice President and attorney Mike Clancy; Army veteran, pastor and technology consultant Paul Lott; Caleb Max, an entrepreneur and the grandson of longtime Congressman Frank Wolf; Air Force veteran and national security

contractor John Henley; and Brandon Michon, a managing director at real estate finance firm FBRE Capital and a Loudoun parent who rose to the public eye when a video of him yelling “figure it out” at the Loudoun School Board went viral and inspired a new conservative slogan.

Clay Percle, a retired Air Force pilot, had also entered the race but withdrew.

“I did not make this decision lightly and came to it only after a great deal of prayer and introspection. I entered this race on behalf of my four children and after only a few months I realize I have asked them to sacrifice too much,” Percle wrote. “I must now focus on my family and my role as a husband and father.”

Many of the candidates have made the Loudoun County School Board part of their campaign for Congress. And the issues talked about—and shouted about—at the those board meetings are also already playing a central role.

In addition to Beatty’s service and the video of Michon, Clancy, Lott and Lawson have also attended and spoken at or

outside of Loudoun School Board meetings. Their campaign websites talk about education. And Lott founded the National Society for the Advancement of Black Americans, an anti-Critical Race Theory organization that denies the existence of systemic racism in America. He also distributed pamphlets for that organization at a School Board meeting.

The race could be among the most high-profile among Congressional contest—Michon announced his candidacy on Tucker Carlson’s show on Fox News.

And the new 10th Congressional District, while leaning blue, is not necessarily safe Democrat territory. According to Virginia Public Access Project analysis, voters in the new district voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 about 50% to 43% for President Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, Wexton faces a Democratic challenger, Dr. Shadi Ayyas, the regional medical director for a prison health services company according to his campaign website and a doctor at a primary and urgent care in Winchester. n

Contributed

Trillian, one of the Blue Ridge Veterinary Blood Bank donor dogs.

K-9 Blood Bank Seeking New Furry Donors

BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

Blue Ridge Veterinary Blood Bank in Purcellville is looking for furry blood donors to join its program amid a shortage.

“With COVID restrictions, staff shortages, and cancellations due to pet-owner sickness and exposure, our blood banks are at a breaking point,” the blood bank said in call for support.

With high demand for blood, many K-9 patients are on waitlists for certain blood types and products.

Even before the pandemic, blood banks were struggling to keep up with demand.

But, blook bank staff members said that many of the patients in need do not have the luxury of waiting for blood. The blood is required for any number of reasons, including treatment of anemia, cancer, rat poison, heat stroke, burns, auto-immune disease, clotting deficiencies, and traumatic accidents.

The blood bank regularly serves more than 300 pet veterinary K-9 BLOOD BANK continues on page 30

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 4

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Loudoun

ON THE Agenda

Canoe Launch, Park Named for Slavers to be Renamed

Supervisors Seek Village Plan for St. Louis

BY RENSS GREENE

rgreene@loudounnow.com

Kephart Bridge Landing, a canoe and kayak launch, has been renamed, and Elizabeth Mills Riverfront Park which contains it is soon to follow. Both were named for slavers.

According to county government staff’s research, Kephart Bridge Landing is named for George Kephart, who owned both Coton and Belmont plantations for a period of time and who became wealthy working in the slave trade. After soliciting public input, the county’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Board recommended renaming the canoe launch simply “Riverpoint Drive Trailhead,” since it is located off Riverpoint Drive in Lansdowne.

“One of the things with this particular landing that we have had issue with is it’s very difficult to find, simply because the access point is literally between two houses in Lansdowne,” Parks, Recreation and Community Service Director Steve Torpy told county supervisors as their meeting ran into the early morning hours Jan. 19.

“And so one thing we’re trying to do is give more of a directional sense.”

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

Both Kephart Bridge Landing canoe and kayak launch and Elizabeth Mills Riverfront Park will be renamed away from their current slaver namesakes.

And in February—for Black History Month, County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) noted—the park containing that launch will also be renamed, likely to honor an early 19th century free Black businessman, ferry operator and possible Underground Railroad conductor Bazil Newman. He owned a warehouse and

operated a ferry near the confluence of Goose Creek and the Potomac River, near where the canoe launch is today.

The park is named for Elizabeth Clapham, whose husband owned grist PARKS RENAMED continues on page 5

Bell’s Towers Bill Sent to 2023 Session

BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com

Sen. John J. Bell (D-13)’s controversial bill to give wireless communications companies broad leeway in where they can put their towers has been sent to the 2023 General Assembly session at his request.

Bell’s Senate Bill 255 would, in effect, have given those companies free reign to build towers up to 200 feet high almost anywhere, overriding local government’s role in those decisions. Local governments would be required to automatically approve any application to build a cell tower up to 200 feet high so long as it either “provides additional wireless coverage or capacity for first responders”— which some Loudoun leaders warned

would apply to essentially every cell tower—or is at least four miles away from other towers. The only exception would be in historic districts.

The bill’s provision had been trimmed back to 150 feet and given a sunset date of July 1, 2024, then passed out of committee 9-6, including a yes vote from Sen. Barbara Favola (D-31). But once it reached the Senate floor it was sent back to the Committee on Local Government where on Monday morning Bell asked it to be sent to next year’s session.

“We did some deeper diving and found a couple other issues that might be problematic, so I’ve worked with the chair of the Broadband Commission, Sen. [Jennifer B.] Boysko (D-33), and we’re going to study that over the year,” Bell told the committee.

The bill had faced opposition from the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and local government and conservation advocates, including last week a letter from the Coalition of Loudoun Towns. In a letter to state lawmakers, the coalition, a group of all seven Loudoun town mayors, warned the bill “mandates approval of any wireless infrastructure anywhere a company desires.”

“The Bill’s provision requiring approval if additional capacity or coverage was created for first responders is a de facto removal of any local zoning authority for communications infrastructure because the possibility that a first responder may use the coverage or capacity from the newly installed infrastructure is TOWERS BILL continues on page 5

County supervisors have approved a plan to limit development around the historic and historically Black Village of St. Louis following outcry from residents about plans for a townhouse development nearby.

With the village facing water quality problems, the county board had already approved an application for funding to the county’s Water and Wastewater Program, although that project was also delayed for fear that providing public water in the village could also open the door to more development pressure.

The work plan approved unanimously Jan. 18 creates a Village Plan Task Force comprised of five supervisor-appointed village property owners or residents, along with one member each from Mt. Zion Baptist Church of St. Louis, Banneker Elementary School, the Black History Committee of the Friends of Thomas Balch Library, and the Loudoun Historic Village Alliance.

That task force will advise land use policy changes around the village with an eye toward limiting future development. The work plan is meant to produce a village plan for St. Louis, revisions in the comprehensive plan and local zoning, and new information in the county’s mapping system.

The first step will be a community meeting in March 2022, with a date that has not yet been announced. The project is expected to last through February 2024.

COVID-19 Testing Friday at Claude Moore Park Loudoun County continues to schedule COVID-19 testing events including Friday, Feb. 4 at Claude Moore Park, 46150 Loudoun Park Lane in Sterling from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Testing may begin early to mitigate traffic, and may close early if capacity is reached.

ON THE AGENDA continues on page 5

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Parks renamed continued from page 4 mills and land and held enslaved people in the area. After her husband died, she held those enslaved people. The name Bazil Newman had come up as an option for renaming the canoe launch, but is now considered for renaming the entire park.

The county government is gathering input on possible names for the park, but Newman’s name is favored among supervisors, some of whom sought to rename the park during the Jan. 19 meeting. That was batted down for process and transparency concerns. No advance notice that the park may be renamed had been given. Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) cautioned against the precedent of skipping the county’s normal process for renaming public property.

“I’m not opposed to this name at all— it sounds wonderful and a great person to honor—but then you set up the board

Towers bill continued from page 4 certain and absolute,” the letter reads.

And they warned it would apply not only to cell towers, but also small cell deployment—including a photo illustration of a small cell facility on the sidewalk along Washington Street, the main street through Middleburg.

The bill emerged in reaction to a decision by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors last year to deny an application from AT&T to build a cell tower on top of Short Hill Mountain, citing county comprehensive plan language specifically prohibiting putting those towers on ridge-

down the road to maybe do something you don’t want to do, if you don’t follow the process,” he said.

Randall agreed, pointing out the vote was made at around 1:30 a.m.

“This right here is out of regular order, and I don’t think we should do things out of regular order, because once we do one thing, it’s easier to do the next thing, and people will accuse us of being not transparent,” Randall said. Vice Chairman Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) agreed to withdraw his motion to rename the park that night; it will come up again at the board’s Feb. 15 meeting.

According to research by the Black History Committee of the Friends of Thomas Balch Library, Bazil Newman lived from 1779 to 1852. He was born in Loudoun County and ran a ferry at Edwards Ferry, carrying on a family tradition. In 1839, a white man built a warehouse, likely on land Newman owned, near the confluence of Goose Creek and the Potomac River, and took out newspalines. The application drew sustained outcry and resistance from residents in the Lovettsville area, which looks up at Short Hill Mountain. Bell had threatened that if the Loudoun board did not side with AT&T on the application he would seek state-level action.

The bill’s first responder language is particularly friendly to AT&T. One of the telecom giant’s arguments when it sought local approval to build a tower atop Short Hill Mountain was that the tower would also support FirstNet, a separate wireless network dedicated to first responders.

The Senate Committee on Local Government voted unanimously Jan. 31 to continue the bill to 2023. n

PAGE 5

per ads mentioning “Bazil Newman, well known as an old and experienced boatman, [who] will attend at the warehouse to receive and forward goods.” The next year, Newman bought the warehouse.

Historians speculate—and at least some Loudouners at the time suspected—that Newman was a conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping enslaved people escape north to Pennsylvania.

Supervisors voted 6-0-3 to begin the regular renaming process 6-0-3, with Supervisors Sylva R. Glass (D-Broad Run), Caleb E. Kershner (R-Catoctin) and Tony

R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) absent.

To offer comment or submit a name for the park, email prcs@loudoun.gov. The deadline for submissions is Monday, Feb. 7. The Parks, Recreation and Open Space Board will review and discuss those suggestions on Feb. 10.

“I will just say this—could we stop naming things after guys? Could we name a few things after women? Because I’m not seeing that happen,” remarked Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg). n

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The testing events are free and open to all with no age or residency requirements and no prescriptions or appointments are necessary. Advance registration is online at loudoun.gov/covid19testing.

To find other testing options, visit the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID-19 testing webpage. Every household on the United States is also eligible to order four, free at-home COVID-19 testsonline at covidtests.gov.

Walk-ins Welcome at County

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Loudoun County is offering walkin service at the COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Dulles Town Center, 21090 Dulles Town Circle in Sterling.

Vaccinations are available on a firstcome, first-served basis.

The clinic is open Tuesdays from 1-7 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Appointments for COVID-19 vaccination can also still be scheduled online at loudoun.gov/covid19vaccine. Vaccination is free. Other vaccine sites can be found at vaccines.gov.

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FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Leesburg

Council Clamping Down on Donation Boxes

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

The overflowing donation canisters seen in most shopping centers in the area may become more scarce, thanks to new regulations passed by the Leesburg Town Council last week, including a $250 fee to place those boxes.

Council members had decried the donation boxes as a nuisance. They often appear seemingly overnight on shopping center property, often without the owner’s consent. Many of these boxes are also seen with items scattered on the ground around them, attracting rodents.

Town staff members proposed a series of amendments to the town’s Zoning Ordinance to cut down on the visual clutter.

Council members took some of those a step further, including imposing a $250 zoning permit fee that must be paid by the owner of the donation box after receiving property owner consent to place the box in a specific location.

The new regulations also specify where such donation boxes are not permitted, including within public rights-ofway, within a required off-street parking

Loudoun Now file photo

There may soon be fewer donation boxes at Leesburg strip malls thanks to several Zoning Ordinance amendments.

space, or a pedestrian path, among others. Donation boxes are prohibited in

residential districts, unless the principal use of the property is a permitted institu-

tional and community use, like a church.

The boxes are also prohibited in the downtown B-1 district and the Crescent Design District.

The council also agreed to a collection schedule that requires donated items be collected on a biweekly basis, unless otherwise agreed upon by the zoning administrator.

According to Zoning Administrator Mike Watkins, 90% or more of the donation boxes currently in the town limits are not compliant with the new regulations.

Some council members contemplated prohibiting donation boxes in town altogether, but ultimately the council decided to see if the regulations would create compliance and, thus, a more attractive appearance for the boxes. Per the adopted ordinance, the regulations will remain in effect until Jan. 25, 2023, with the council expected to review them ahead of that date.

“Put it on your calendar, a year from now we want to hear back,” Mayor Kelly Burk said to Watkins after the vote.

The measure passed 6-0-1, with Vice Mayor Marty Martinez absent for the Jan. 25 vote. n

Council Vote Paves Way for Spring Water Bottling Operation

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ

krodriguez@loudounnow.com

A recent vote by the Leesburg Town Council could create a new and unique business opportunity for a local property, and in turn preserve one of the last pieces of rural land in the county seat.

The council voted Jan. 25 to establish natural spring water excavation and bottling plant as a permissible use by special exception in the town’s R-E residential zoning district, and also made necessary revisions to the town’s Zoning Ordinance to accommodate this new use.

The move came after the Cook family, owners of Rock Spring Farm off Loudoun Street and Dry Mill Road in downtown Leesburg, petitioned the council to consider the change in 2020. The Cooks hope to use the funds generated by bottling and selling the property’s spring water to preserve the land for generations to come.

John Cook, the Lovettsville-based son of property owners Dr. Jack and Di Cook, has taken the lead on the family project. He celebrated the news of the approval last week and said the next step for the family will be working on the hydrology to get the potable water certif-

Loudoun Now File Photo

John Cook demonstrates how his family accesses water from one of the two springs on their 13-acre Leesburg property.

icate to move the project forward. After that, focus will turn to funding the business plan and beginning the steps of starting the operation. Cook’s original vision for the project included placing a three-story bottling plant on the property, which would be subject to further approvals, and bottle the 100,000 gallons per day flowing through the property’s Town Spring and sell it to local restaurants and other consumers. If demand is high enough, a pipeline could be put in to send the water to an offsite bottling plant and draw up to 500,000 gallons per day.

If it moves forward, the water generated on the Rock Spring Farm property could once again end up being enjoyed by town residents. Rock Spring Farm was the site of the town’s original water source, and remained that way until the 1970s. After the town was incorporated in 1813, the first resolution of the Town Council was to pass a bond to raise money to run a wooden pipe from Rock Spring Farm to Market Street, to use the property’s spring water as the town’s main public water source.

“This isn’t development, this is un-development,” John Cook said. “My feeling is the town would like to see this occur as much as my family would. That gives me hope.” n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Leesburg Purchases Dealership Land for Town Shop Expansion

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

What once was envisioned as another automotive sales dealership will instead serve the Town of Leesburg for a future expansion of its Town Shop.

The Town Council last week authorized the $4.2 million purchase of 16 acres adjacent to the Town Shop along Russell Branch Parkway.

According to a staff report, Town Manager Kaj Dentler had identified the land as a “strategic site for acquisition” given its location next to the Town Shop, a facility that serves the town’s Public Works & Capital Projects Department, which is

planned for expansion in the town’s Capital Improvements Program. The $4.2 million price tag is within 3% of the land’s appraised value.

The council approved a rezoning for Brown’s Automotive five years ago to permit the development of two dealership on two lots, including the one acquired by the town last week. It was not immediately clear whether the auto retailer still intends to develop the other parcel.

The town will pay for the land with $2.4 million of reallocated proffer money, and $1.8 million of its unassigned fund balance.

The measure passed by a 6-0-1 vote, with Vice Mayor Marty Martinez absent. n

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TOWN OF MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE Fiscal Year 2023

The Town of Middleburg proposes to increase property tax levies. Pursuant to Code of Virginia Section 58.1-3321 a Public Hearing on the increase will be held on March 10, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at the Middleburg Town Office located at 10 West Marshall Street in Middleburg, Virginia.

1. Assessment Increase: The total assessed value of real property, as of January 1, 2022, excluding additional assessments due to new construction or improvements to property, exceeds last year’s total assessed value of real property by 15.13%.

2. Lower Rate Necessary to Offset Increased Assessment: The tax rate which would levy the same amount of real estate tax as the current year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of real estate, with the exclusions mentioned above, would be $0.1342 per $100 of assessed value. This rate will be known as the “lowered tax rate.” The current tax rate is $0.153 per $100 of assessed value.

3. Effective Rate Increase: The Town of Middleburg proposes to adopt a tax rate of $0.153 per $100 of assessed value. The difference between the lowered tax rate and the proposed tax rate would be $0.0188 per $100, or 14.01%. This difference will be known as the “effective tax rate increase.” Individual property taxes may, however, increase at a percentage greater or less than the above percentage.

4. Proposed Total Budget Increase: Based on the proposed real property tax rate and changes in other revenues, the total General Fund budget of the Town of Middleburg is proposed to exceed the current year’s budget by 10.5%.

Questions regarding the proposed tax increase may be directed to the Town Manager at 540-687-5152.

In your home weekly, online always.

Danny Davis, Town Manager Town of Middleburg, Virginia

2/3/22

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FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Education

SCHOOL notebook

Students, Parents Call for More Performing Arts Funding

Equity Committee Members Appointed

BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

The theater and performing arts community is calling on the School Board to adjust the proposed budget to reflect equitable funding for theater programs, something at-large member Denise Corbo said she would make a motion to do before the school budget request is finalized on Feb. 2.

During the Jan. 25 School Board meeting, public commenters addressed funding for performing arts, which many said is insufficient, particularly compared to the funding for athletics.

As of press time, Corbo estimated her motion would be for $1.9 million, to cover year-round stipends for drama directors and band directors.

“I fully understand the time and effort needed outside of the instructional day for productions and highly support increasing Contributed

PERFORMING ARTS Rock Ridge High School Students Vikas Venuthurupalli, Katie Howard, Nico Zavala, Matthew Knerr perform continues on page 9 at the International Thespian Festival Stage in Lincoln, Nebraska in 2021.

Student School Board Representative Receives Care Basket After Being Heckled Off Stage

BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR hbour@loudounnow.com

The group Loudoun4All is rallying support for the student School Board representative who was heckled for supporting continued masking during the Jan. 25 meeting.

Angela Rivera, a Park View High School student, left the dais to compose herself after an activist from Fairfax County heckled her during her remarks.

“I would like to give a big thank you to the School Board for continuing the mask mandate,” Rivera said. “We need to take these safety measures seriously. Students need to be masked to keep other students and their families safe.”

The activist yelled, “We can’t hear you with your mask,” and people in the crowd began to laugh.

Another person shouted, “If you are scared, stay home.”

After a couple more comments,

Hayley Bour/Loudoun Now

The group Loudoun4All presented a care package to Park View High School Student Angela Rivera after she was heckled for her support of masking during a School Board meeting.

Rivera was escorted out by School Board members to compose herself. After a few minutes, she returned. Rivera said that she was encouraged by Atoosa Reaser

(Algonkian), her principals and advisors gave her words of encouragement before HECKLED continues on page 9

The 31 new Equity Committee members were appointed during the Jan. 25 School Board meeting. The committee includes School Board members Brenda Sheridan (Sterling), Tom Marshall (Leesburg), and Ian Serotkin (Blue Ridge). The committee includes appointees from each School Board member, the Special Education Advisory Committee, the All Dulles Area Muslim Society, as well as minority group representatives.

Board members voted to not approve the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington nominee. John Beatty (Catoctin) said that his constituents who are members of the Jewish community felt that Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky did not represent them, and that Sharofsky does not live in Loudoun.

While residence in the county is not required for committee membership, board members Andrew Hoyler (Broad Run), and Chairman Jeff Morse (Dulles) said they would listen to the will of the public.

The council will appoint a new representative who lives in Loudoun.

The Equity Committee will meet Feb. 3.

Shernoff Seeks Leesburg Seat Loudoun County Public Schools teacher and literacy coach Lauren Shernoff has announced that she will seek election to the Leesburg District School Board seat. The seat will be filled through a special election in November, and the winner will serve until Dec. 31, 2022, the end of former representative Beth Barts’ term.

Tom Marshall was appointed to the seat on Dec. 14. Shernoff was one of 14 candidates seeking the appointment.

“The decision was disappointing because the School Board, once again, has chosen partisan politics over what’s best for our students and the community’s clear choice to fill this vacant seat. The Board has rejected one of their own,” Shernoff said of the appointment.

For more on Shernoff’s campaign, go to laurenforleesburg.com.n

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Performing arts continued from page 8 stipends for our fine arts educators,” Corbo said.

As the budget stood on Tuesday, the proposed budget includes a $6,953 stipend for high school drama directors, which is up from the current year’s budgeted amount of $6,750. While that is more than the stipends for head coaches of any varsity sport aside from football, who make $7,828, community members pointed out that drama directors serve in their positions for the entire school year, not just one sports season.

Rock Ridge High School drama director Anthony Cimino-Johnson said he was confident other School Board members would support a motion to fully fund the programs.

“LCPS has never treated theater in the same equitable manner as athletics. Eight coaches, that is what basketball students get. One teacher is all theater students get,” mother Marsha Emch said. “Just yesterday 72 kids came to the technical theater workshop. With one director. This one director has to do it all.”

At Rock Ridge High School, the drama community formed a nonprofit drama booster club to fund its program.

“The after-school program receives $0 funding from Loudoun County Public Schools, aside from a stipend for a theatre director. This is of notable difference

Heckled continued from page 8 she returned to the dais.

“We’re going to ask that you give us decorum that’s appropriate for one of our students,” Chairman Jeff Morse (Dulles) said.

Rivera returned to her seat on the dais, and repeated her support for the masking policy.

The incident garnered reactions from across social media. Loudoun4All raised over $2,000 in less than 12 hours, and presented a care package to Rivera in Sterling Monday afternoon.

“The community resoundingly supports these students. The community resoundingly said ‘no this is not acceptable,” Loudoun4All president Rasha Saad said. “We need to get our School Board meetings under control. We need to have respectful discourse. This is not OK.” Saad said the community needs to protect the voices of students.

“It really helps knowing that there’s

LOUDOUNNOW.COM from the Athletics program at Rock Ridge High School which is entirely funded by LCPS,” the program’s website says.

Many speakers pointed to the proposed elimination of athletic fees, which generated $810,00 of the current year’s budget, and parking fees, which accounted for $650,000.

“So why is there a proposal to waive athletes’ fees but not theater fees? Why does one theater director have to be the equivalent of eight coaches?” Emch said.

Cimino-Johnson told board members that advocates for funding of performing arts were exhausted during last year’s budget cycle. He said that the board had been sent a comprehensive plan to bring theater programs in line with athletics.

“Theater teachers are exhausted. We need help tonight… please listen to us, one of you make a motion and pass that document tonight,” Cimino-Johnson said.

Cimino-Johnson highlighted the disparity between funding for football and funding for performing arts. Football programs, he said, receive $404.80 in per pupil funding. The performing arts programs, he said, receive roughly $64.38 in per pupil funding.

Mother Tori Walden, who began volunteering with the pilot drama program at Eagle Ridge Middle School several years ago, said performing arts have opened doors to her two daughters.

“The program did wonders for them.

They met new friends, they gained new skills, and it gave them such confidence people out there supporting me. Throughout this whole time I had been reading some comments… I’ve seen more positive than negative. It really does help.”

Rivera requested that half the money raised for her go to the student council at her high school. “It’s the organization that honestly started everything for me... I’m glad to be supporting my club also.”

Rivera said that most students support her message and continuing masking up for school.

“It’s not just about me. It’s about the students and our safety,” Rivera said.

Rivera said that she hopes to attend either Northern Virginia Community College or George Mason University next year to study to be a social worker.

“I think it’s very important to go to the School Board meetings to speak. I think they had a negative reaction because they’ve never heard this response from the opposite side. Mostly at School Board meetings, it’s pro anti-maskers,” Rivera said. “It’s more than just for my protection, it’s for others’ protection.” n

PAGE 9

in a way that sports don’t give them,” she said. “It crossed boundaries of different groups in the school, and it brought students together in a way that I haven’t seen other activities do.”

She said that one of her daughters is participating in her college’s band program now because of her experiences in LCPS performing arts programs and the hours that teachers put in.

Many of the speakers drew other parallels to athletics.

“It’s shown that participation in clubs promotes strong mental health, bonding, and social emotional learning,” one speaker said. “But you need staff in order to run these clubs. And you can’t continue to ask them to work hundreds of hours for free. Theater saves lives. This is our children’s sport.”

Corbo said she has a vision of Loudoun establishing a Governor’s academy for performing arts, though the idea hasn’t gained enough traction among board members.

“With Fairfax having TJ [Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology] for technology, Loudoun would be the perfect location to provide students with the highest level of fine arts education to northern Virginia,” she said. n

Irby Recuses Herself from School Board Removal Cases LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT

Circuit Court Judge Jeanette A. Irby on Tuesday recused herself from hearing the cases to remove School Board members Brenda Sheridan (Sterling) and Atoosa Reaser (Algonkian) on Jan. 31.

On Jan. 5, Irby heard motions to allow the group Fight for Schools, which collected petition signatures in the recall drive, to intervene, and to disqualify Commonwealth’s Attorney Buta Biberaj from the cases.

In mid-January, Irby’s clerk told parties that the judge would be ruling on those motions soon. Now, the motions will be argued before a different judge. As other Loudoun judges recused themselves from a similar previous case involved then-School Board member Beth Barts, the Sheridan and Reaser cases are expected to be heard by a judge appointed by the state Supreme Court.

A scheduling hearing is set for Feb. 7 in the cases in advance of a previously scheduled Feb. 23 motions hearing. n

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LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Public Safety

High School Assault Assailant Won’t Register as Sex Offender

BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR AND RENSS GREENE hbour@loudounnow.com rgreene@loudounnow.com

The assailant in two sexual assaults in Ashburn high schools will not be required to register as a sex offender for life, Judge Pamela Brooks ruled Jan. 27, reversing her previous decision.

Without prior notice that the Commonwealth’s Attorney Office would seek to have the boy placed on the sex offender registry, his attorneys argued, the boy’s due process rights had been violated. And Caleb E. Kershner, a partner at the law firm Simms Showers LLP which represented the defendant, said doing so with a person as young as 14 is rare.

In this case, there was a lot in the 14-year-old offender’s history to consider—such as failings during his upbringing—which were sealed from the public but which the judge could see, Kershner said. The boy is also autistic.

“In juvenile court you just don’t put people on the sex registry as a rule,” Kershner

said. “…I’ve been practicing for 15 years in this court, I’ve never seen it done.”

Kershner also pointed to testimony during last week’s hearing that juveniles placed on the sex offender registry have a higher rate of recidivism, especially compared with those who instead undergo treatment, as the offender in this case will now do.

“There are victims across the board. Nobody wins in this situation, nobody whatsoever,” Kershner said. “The young ladies who were victimized cannot possibly win, the young man—the idea is the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court is essentially built to bring restoration or a rehabilitation to young juvenile offenders, especially a young boy, essentially, of age 14.”

Kershner said the case was marked by systemic failures, and in the end, “nobody wins.”

When the time came for the defendant’s trial for the first charge, he said, the commonwealth’s attorney asked for a delay— and under state law, a juvenile cannot be detained for more than 21 days before a trial. The boy was released on bond. Sub-

sequently, the school system placed him at a different high school, where the second assault occurred.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Buta Biberaj said that the request to delay the trial after the first offense was made in collaboration with the victim’s family, a statement since refuted by the family.

Biberaj said her office advised the family that waiting for DNA evidence to confirm the sodomy allegations would bolster the case. Otherwise, she said, it would have been a he-said-she-said situation.

“Rarely do those results come back within a few weeks,” Biberaj said, adding that it can take months for DNA testing to be returned. “The delay wasn’t due to a lack of preparation, but because we don’t control the evidence.”

The first victim’s family, Biberaj said, requested that the assailant not return to their daughter’s high school.

The victim’s family said Thursday they were heartbroken by the decision not to place the assailant on the sex offender registry.

“The person who committed these

horrible crimes against these three young women will not have to bear the shame at being known as a lifetime registered sex offender, as he was originally sentenced,” reads a statement from the Stone Bridge High School victim’s family. “Rather, we are now concerned more than ever that this change in his legal status may put other parents’ daughters at risk of harm in the future.”

After an unreleased report from a review of the school division’s handling of the assaults, former Title IX coordinator and Chief of Staff Mark Smith left his position with the school division.

Smith had only been in the Title IX coordinator position since November 2021.

Superintendent Scott Ziegler was listed as the Title IX coordinator at the time of both assaults.

Ziegler had previously said that Title IX protocols were followed after the assaults, and that a shortcoming in those protocols led to the transfer of the suspect to a new school where the second assault occurred. n

SAFETY briefs Hamilton Woman Dies in Hillsboro Jeep Crash The Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash that happened in Hillsboro early Sunday morning.

According to the report, deputies were called to the Stony Point Road roundabout on Rt. 9 just before 3 a.m. Jan. 30 for a report of a single vehicle crash. The preliminary investigation determined the driver of a 2018 Jeep Wrangler was eastbound on Rt.9 when she traveled through the roundabout and struck a guardrail.

The vehicle continued down an embankment where it rolled over.

The driver, Bernadette R. Reynolds, 22, of Hamilton, was transported to a hospital where she later died from her injuries. A passenger in the vehicle was also taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries described as serious but non-life-threatening.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

It was the first highway fatality in Loudoun County in 2022.

Attempted Murder Charge Dropped in Mall Stabbing The suspect in the Dec. 28 stabbing at the Leesburg Premium Outlets on Tuesday waived his right to a preliminary hearing after the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office dropped a charge of attempted murder.

Corinthian Witcher, 34, of Bristow, now faces a charge of malicious wounding and a sentence of five to 20 years in prison if convicted.

According to the Leesburg Police Department, a 911 caller at about 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 28 reported that a 27-year-old woman had been stabbed outside a store at the mall. The caller said a man ran away, armed with a knife, toward the Sycamore Hill neighborhood behind the outlets.

Witcher was found nearby and taken into custody without further incident. Police

said the suspect and victim knew each other.

District Court Judge Deborah C. Welsh agreed to the reduction in charges during a Feb. 1 hearing after being told by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office that the victim had agreed to the changes to avoid having to testify during a trial and to achieve a quicker conclusion to the case.

The victim is expected to testify during the sentencing phase of the case after it moves to Circuit Court for adjudication.

LCSO: Fleeing Shoplifters Strike Loudoun Deputy A Loudoun County Sheriff’s Deputy was injured, and three suspects were apprehended Saturday after deputies responded to the Dulles 28 Centre for a report of suspected shoplifters.

According to the report, around 6 p.m.

Jan. 29, the Sheriff’s Office was contacted by a loss prevention officer who said

suspects from previously reported larcenies in the region had entered the Sterling Target store.

As deputies arrived on the scene, two suspects inside the store attempted to flee.

One was apprehended inside the store.

The second ran from the store to an awaiting vehicle occupied by a third suspect.

A deputy attempted to stop the two suspects, and the driver of the vehicle sped forward striking the deputy with the front passenger corner of the car. As the vehicle drove away, the second suspect again fled on foot, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The deputy was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries described as minor.

The driver and the suspect who fled on foot were apprehended after a search of the area.

All three suspects had traveled to the region from New York. The Sheriff’s Office is working with law enforcement agencies in Maryland and Virginia SAFETY BRIEFS continues on page 11

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

PAGE 11

Trial Again Delayed in Walmart Shooting Case

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Because of an injury to a key Sheriff’s Office witness, the trial of Steven Thodos, who is charged with two counts of attempted capital murder and eight other felonies following a January 2021 shootout with Loudoun deputies at the Sterling Walmart, has been delayed again.

Shortly before 5 p.m. Jan. 2, 2021, Thodos was apprehended by a Walmart loss prevention officer before a Sheriff’s Office deputy arrived and attempted to arrest him. At that point, Thodos allegedly pulled out a gun and started shooting, wounding one deputy and two Walmart employees. He then ran out of the store, stole a vehicle and drove south to Fairfax County before being arrested by police there.

SAFETY briefs

The eight-day trial was set to start Monday in Loudoun County Circuit Court, a trial that previously had been planned for last September.

Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Angela Vernail on Thursday filed an emergency order to postpone the trail after learning one of the crime scene investigators in the case would be undergoing surgery and be unavailable to testify next week. The deputy on Jan. 14 suffered an

®

continued from page 10

regarding similar theft cases reported in the region.

The suspects are identified as Ahmed Sawadogo, 19, Naby Doukoure, 18, and a 16-year-old male. Sawadogo is charged with obstruction of justice in Loudoun County and felony robbery in Fairfax County. Doukoure is charged with false identification to law enforcement in Loudoun County and felony robbery in Fairfax County. The 16-year-old male, who was the driver of the vehicle, was issued two juvenile petitions for assault on law enforcement and felony hit and run.

Sawadogo and Doukoure were held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. The juvenile was held at the Loudoun County Juvenile Detention Center.

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injury while at work and initially expected to have surgery after the trial.

The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office learned Wednesday that his doctor determined surgery was required sooner to prevent long-term damage.

A Feb. 15 hearing was set to reschedule the trial.

The trial previously was rescheduled from September because of a delay in receiving ballistic reports. n

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Pizza Deliverer Robbed The Sheriff’s Office is investigating a reported armed robbery of a pizza delivery person that occurred Friday night in Ashburn.

The victim reported he was making a delivery shortly after 11 p.m. Jan. 28 to a Huron Terrace home when he was confronted by two males, one of whom appeared to brandish a firearm. Then, three other suspects attempted to take the victim’s car before fleeing the area in an older model black Dodge Charger. The attackers took the delivery items and the victim’s cell phone.

The suspects were described as males wearing all dark clothing and face masks.

Anyone with any information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective R. Schmidt at 703-777-1021. You may also submit a tip through the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office app. n

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PAGE 12

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Business

Kaine, Wexton Host Tourism Recovery Talk

BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com

One of the most beleaguered industries during the COVID-19 pandemic was in full focus during a Jan. 27 Zoom talk hosted by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10).

The tourism and hospitality industry has taken one of the hardest hits during the pandemic and its leaders are still struggling with supply chain issues, staffing shortages, and revenue losses that mean full recovery could still be years away.

Visit Loudoun CEO Beth Erickson said there are “pockets of good news” when looking at hotel occupancy rates in Loudoun County. However, even with recovery beginning, particularly when it comes to leisure travel, occupancy rates last year were still 17% below 2019 levels, and revenue per available room lagged 22% behind compared to two years prior.

The tourism body’s forecasting now puts the total loss incurred by the county’s hotel industry since the pandemic began at $170 million.

Vinay Patel, who owns several hotels in the state including in the Northern Virginia market as president of Fairbrook Hotels, emphasized that while occupancy overall is back, the average rate per hotel room is down considerably. He pointed to a hotel room at one of his Hampton Inn properties which now produces an average nightly rate of $100, as opposed to $170 prior to the start of the pandemic.

“I’m still paying the same amount for running the hotel, but my revenue has dropped by 40 to 50%,” he said. “The

Zoom

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) speaks during a Jan. 27 Zoom call about Loudoun’s tourism industry recovery.

plight we have here, it’s a long-term problem.”

Many on the call pegged the lagging recovery on the slow return of business and corporate travel. Some even took the federal government to task for being wary about returning to in-person conferences, and encouraged Kaine and Wexton and their congressional colleagues to do their part to aid in the recovery.

“This area is dominated by commercial

and government travel. That is the engine by which we all make big bets in building hotels and facilities to support them. With them not being in the office and not engaging in what would be normal training, meetings and welcoming people to offices the impact has been very dramatic,” said Mark Carrier, senior officer at B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group.

“Our corporate travel at the National Conference Center has basically gone

away,” said John Walsh, general manager of the conference center. “It’s tough on a facility to operate at 18% of normal sales.”

The impact on the tourism and hospitality industry is being felt even by those businesses that serve them. Katie Schneider owns Promo – The Marketing Management Group Inc. in Ashburn and supplies businesses with promotional products and branding services.

“If I don’t have restaurants that need uniforms, no conferences that need swag bags, I don’t have work,” she said. “When you think of the industries that are suffering, you have to think of the industries supporting those industries.”

Other parts of the state, by comparison, have recovered more fully due to their predominant reliance on leisure or sports travel, like Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads, speakers said.

Scott Hamberger of Sterling Restaurant Supply pointed to how recovery looks in different parts of the country, and attributed a lot of economic activity to messaging and perception.

“Look at the markets that have recovered and the markets that have not,” he said. He pointed to the hotels and restaurants his companies supply in Miami and New York City. In South Beach his company’s business is back to 80% of what it was pre-COVID; in the Big Apple it’s still only at 20% of pre-pandemic levels.

“Those markets that are more open, that are leaning into travel, are recovering. If we’re going to talk about how to stimulate the industry, we need to think about our attitude towards being open,” he said. n

BUSINESS announcements Rumble Boxing Planned in Ashburn Rumble Boxing, a boxing-inspired full-body workout, plans to enter the Northern Virginia market for the first time with an Ashburn location to open this summer.

The boutique boxing concept is focused on high-intensity training, split evenly between boxing and resistance workouts.

Founded in 2017, Rumble features 45-minute, 10-round, full-body strength and conditioning workouts crafted around water-filled, teardrop-style boxing bags.

Contributed

Training equipment at Rumble Boxing.

The company was started in the Chelsea area of New York City and has expanded into Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Chicago.

The Ashburn location is owned by Maria and Brad Grenke, who plan to open multiple locations in Northern Virginia.

“After successful careers in finance and technology, we were looking for our next chapter and Rumble was the perfect fit,” Maria Grenke stated. “Brad and I met at a martial arts studio and spent the formative years of our relationship training together. We were part of an inclusive

community, developed fighting skills—in and out of the ring—and always put in the work.

For more information, go to rumbleboxinggym.com.

Woofie’s Sold to Home Service Franchisor Authority Brands has purchased Loudoun-based pet care franchise Woofie’s.

Co-founded by Amy Reed and Leslie ANNOUNCEMENTS continues on page 13

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Announcements continued from page 12

Barron in 2004 in Ashburn, Woofie’s is a mobile professional pet service offering pet sitting, dog walking and mobile pet spa services. Woofie’s began franchising in 2018 and has four locations operating in Virginia.

Authority Brands’ acquisition marks the launch of the company’s incubator for emerging brands within the home services sector. The incubator is designed to leverage the company’s in-depth home services experience to accelerate growth and development of smaller-scale franchise concepts that have a proven system and strong management.

“With the launch of Authority Brands’ incubator, we are seeking innovative emerging concepts eager to leverage Authority Brands’ expertise in building home service brands. We were impressed with Amy and Leslie’s leadership and know they are a great fit for our new incubator program,” stated Ashish Karandikar, a member of the board of directors of Authority Brands’ parent company and Partner at Apax.

“When we launched Woofie’s in 2004, we did so to share our passion and love for pets in our local community. Now as

a member of the Authority Brands family, we are excited to bring our leading pet care services to many more communities and pet lovers. The resources and experience that Rob and his team bring to Woofie’s are immense and we can’t wait to grow our brand together,” stated co-founder Amy Reed.

Allegiant Air Adds Austin, Nashville Routes Allegiant Air is set to double its number of nonstop destinations from Dulles Airport this spring.

Beginning April 21, the ultra-low-cost carrier will add year-round twice-weekly service to both Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and Nashville International Airport in Tennessee. Both routes will be served with Airbus A320-family aircraft.

Allegiant, the newest carrier to begin service at Dulles, launched year-round nonstop service to popular Florida leisure destinations Jacksonville and Sarasota last fall.

For schedule details go to allegiant.com.

PAGE 13

sales office.

Taylor has 11 years of real estate experience, all with Weichert and will lead the office with Omni Casey, who has been leading the Loudoun sales team since 2017.

Taylor began his Taylor real estate career as a sales associate in Weichert’s Loudoun office. In 2018, he was named manager of the Great Falls office where he honed his coaching skills until the sales team was folded into the Reston office. Taylor

returned to the Loudoun office where he continued to build his real estate business as a broker associate.

Before embarking on a real estate career with Weichert, Taylor served for 32 years in the British Army. After retiring from the army in 2004, he came to the United States to assist a U.K.-based company in establishing a physical presence in Reston. Taylor worked there until 2011 before deciding to earn his real estate license.

Taylor was the president of the Dulles Area Association of Realtors (DAAR) for 2020-21. He was also named DAAR Realtor of the Year for 2020.

Taylor to Co-Manage Weichert’s Loudoun Sales Office Barry Taylor has been named co-manager of the Weichert, Realtors’ Loudoun

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LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 14

Towns

AROUND towns

Purcellville Staff Approved for ARPA Bonus Pay

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

The Purcellville Town Council has approved spending $272,000 of its American Rescue Plan Act allocation to provide hazard pay to the town’s front line employees who worked through the pandemic.

The action was applauded, literally, by a cadre of town police officers who attended Tuesday’s work session to watch the debate on the measure.

There wasn’t much debate, as all council members lined up behind the proposal.

Under the action, members of the Police Department will get $7,500 bonuses, $5,000 will go to workers in the utility, maintenance, and IT departments, and those working in customer services positions will get $2,000 each. In all, 58 of the town’s 85 employees qualified for the bonus payments.

Town Manager David A. Mekarski said the employees put themselves at risk to keep the town operations going during the pandemic.

“We take the COVID crisis for granted, but I cannot emphasize enough or explain to you what it was like pre-vaccination in March [2020] when we declared an emergency,” he told the council. “We had 85 employees who stood up to the challenge to do two things: to maintain the continuity of government, and for the delivery of services.”

While some employees were able to work at home or otherwise isolate from the threat of exposure, “we couldn’t do

Loudoun Now File Photo

Members of the Purcellville Police Department, along with other front-line town workers, are in line for bonuses for their work during the pandemic.

that for the line workers in the police department, in public works, in water and wastewater and in maintenance,” he said.

Mekarski noted the police department pivoted from a three-shift daily schedule to a two shift, 12 hours on/12 hours off schedule in its efforts to keep an adequate number of officers on duty. Other departments, including the utility crews, have few members, requiring an all-hands-ondeck approach.

Police Chief Cynthia McAlister said the council’s action was important to recognize the extraordinary efforts of her team. “Thank you for honoring them in that way,” she said.

The action followed a recent update in the guidance on how localities may use the ARPA funds to retain and compensate

public sector employees.

Purcellville is receiving $10.6 million through ARPA in two payments, one already in hand and one coming next summer. Most of the first tranche—$3,959,941 of $5,279,922—will be used for utility projects including the construction of a new water storage tank, an upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant control system, repairs to the Hirst Reservoir, and replacement of the water main from the water treatment plant.

During last week’s work session the council, at the recommendation of Mayor Kwasi Fraser, voted to shift the cost of renovating and expanding the Police Station from town funds to ARPA money. That project is budgeted for $800,000, but the architects recently warned that construction likely will cost considerably more because of market conditions. Staff members noted that there was a chance federal auditors may not sign off on the use of ARPA money for the project because the work is being done in leased space not owned by the town, an effort to address the department’s needs until a new police station is built.

The council also voted to boost its planned use of APRA money to provide assistance to small businesses, households, and nonprofits to $433,884. The town has not yet determined how that money will be used or distributed.

The council is continuing to determine how to use the just over $1 million remaining unallocated in the first tranche, with the staff recommending a series of utility and security updates. n

Purcellville Declares Emergency, but Reopens Town Office

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

On Tuesday, Purcellville Town Hall reopened to the public for walk-in service following a temporary closure as COVID cases spiked in the community.

The announcement comes days after the Town Council adopted a new emergency declaration aimed at allowing the town’s advisory boards and commissions to meet electronically without a physical quorum together in a public

meeting space.

The town office closed to public visitation at the end of December as a safety measure for employees. Transactions were made over the phone or email, or in-person by appointment.

The declaration of a public health emergency was requested by Planning Commission Chairwoman Nan Joseph Forbes, who raised concerns about her panel gathering during a period when COVID cases are high, because many members or their families are elderly or at high risk of serious illness

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

from the virus.

The state’s open meeting laws allows governments to pivot to virtual meetings during declared emergencies.

Councilman Joel Grewe voted against the emergency order, questioning whether it had merit during a period of quickly declining caseloads or was in the public interest generally.

Round Hill declared a local emergency beginning Jan. 12, closing the Town Office to visitors, and returning to online meetings of the government bodies. n

MIDDLEBURG Town Mourns 2 Former Council Members Two longtime town leaders have died.

Eura Lewis was the first Black woman elected to the Town Council and was a champion of efforts to preserve the town’s history. She was the founder of the Middleburg Museum Foundation, which went on to acquire the Pink Box that serves as a town museum and visitors center.

Mark Snyder served on the council for two decades and is credited with helping to modernize and stabilize the town’s utility systems.

“I know I speak for every member of the Council, past and present, and the Middleburg community when we express our heartfelt condolences to Eura and Mark’s families on their loss. Their memories and contributions will always be a part of our community,” Mayor Bridge Littleton wrote in an announcement of plans to honor them during the council’s Feb. 10 meeting.

As of press time, service arrangements were not available.

Council Addresses Town Hall Funding Gap Just days after celebrating the groundbreaking for its new town hall, the Middleburg Town Council on Jan. 27 authorized its financial advisors to finance an additional $2.5 million to cover project price increases attributed to the pandemic, supply chain problems and climbing inflation.

The town’s reserve fund has grown more than $2 million beyond the minimum levels required by the council’s fiscal policy and the FY2022 budget is expected to deliver a healthy surplus as meals and occupancy tax revenues outpace projection. However, the town’s financial advisor, Davenport & Co., recommended the council take advantage of low interest rates and borrow the needed funds. That would allow to maintain strong cash reserves amid continuing economic uncertainty.

Once the economy has stabilized, the council would be in position to repay the loan if it wished.

AROUND TOWNS continues on page 16

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 15

Obituaries

Patricia G. Dant Mrs. Patricia G. Dant, 87, of Lovettsville, Virginia passed from this life on Friday, January 21, 2022.

She was the loving wife of the late Kenneth R. Dant, whom she was happily married to for 65 years.

Pat, as she was lovingly known, had a personality as big as her heart. She was outgoing, very loving, and deeply caring. She truly left an impression on everyone she met.

Pat was an extremely talented artist. She loved animals, and was a passionate advocate for them.

She worked in the PG County School System, and in later years retired from NALC. She was very active with Catholic Daughters, St. Mary’s Church, and the Lovettsville Lions Club as well as the Community Advisory Board.

Pat is survived by her children, Bonnie Giuffre and her husband Michael, Steve Dant and his wife Denise, her brother-in-law Donald Dant and sister-in-law Janet Daymude. Her grandchildren include Jaime Senesi, Lisa Wahl, Michelle Small and Kyle Dant. Pat also has six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter Roberta Broughman, her son James Dant, Twin daughters, and her Grandson Joseph Dant.

Pat was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Petersville, MD where she will be laid to rest. A public “Celebration of Life” will be announced at a later date.

Suggested donations in her memory can be made to the ASPCA, American Lung Association, or St. Francis-St. Mary & Holy Family.

Arrangements are with Stauffer Funeral Home.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.

and spent much of his youth in and around the nation’s capital. He graduated from Randolph-Macon Academy, Front Royal VA, in 1958. Subsequently he enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to the Motor Pool Maintenance division. After serving in the Army, Charles went to work in the air traffic control industry, where he spent the next several years until his early retirement.

Possibly sparked by his military experience, Charles developed a lifelong interest in firearms and spent a good portion of his time collecting and crafting replicas of antique rifles. Over his lifetime he also put together a significant collection of remote-controlled airplanes and helicopters, most of which he built himself. He could usually be found either at the shooting range, “sighting in” one of his antique rifles, or flying one of his newly-crafted remote-control model airplanes. Perhaps the thing he loved most was flying his full-size Lake fixed-wing single-engine amphibious airplane, often taking to the skies to visit family in Massachusetts. Sometimes he would simply head to Maine and land on some remote lake for no other reason than he could.

Ultimately, Charles had no use for rules and conventions. He tended to do things his own way, and using his memorably picturesque vocabulary he wasn’t shy in telling anyone who would listen how he felt about politics, government, and the way of the world. Some would call him a character.

Charles is predeceased by Tai Duong with whom he had a long-term, loving relationship (he was also close with Tai’s children). He is survived by several cousins: Gail (Lake) Richardson and her husband Lowell, of Wichita, KS; Diane DeTour of Boxford, MA; David DeTour and his wife Judith, of Weare, NH; Darrell DeTour and his wife Angela Martin, of Lebanon, ME; and Terry Travis and his wife Carol, of Springfield, IL, as well as several second-generation cousins, and several friends.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Friday, February 4, 2022 at Loudoun Funeral Chapel, 158 Catoctin Circle, SE, Leesburg, Virginia. A small and intimate memorial service will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.loudounfuneralchapel.com.

staufferfuneralhome.com.

Frances Frothingham Wire Charles Hoyt Kinney Charles Hoyt Kinney passed away unexpectedly on January 23, 2022, at the age of 82, at his home in Leesburg, Virginia. Although a lifelong bachelor, Charles (or Chuck, as he was known by close friends) led a long life filled with a variety of interests and activities.

Charles was born on February 11, 1939, in Washington, DC, to Marie (Travis) and Charles E. Kinney

Frances (Fran) Frothingham Wire, 96, of Lovettsville, VA, died January 26, 2022 at the Adler Center in Aldie, VA surrounded by family. She was the wife of the late Robert Lamar Wire, whom she married in 1945. Fran grew up in Hyattsville, MD and was the daughter of James Robert Frothingham and Mary Travers Frothingham.

Fran spent her early adult years raising a family of five daughters before taking a banking job in her early 40’s. She started as a teller at Commercial and

Farmers bank in Ellicott City, MD, and 20+ years later retired as a Vice President. Following retirement, Fran and her daughters operated Georges Mill Farm Bed and Breakfast in the 160-year-old house in Lovettsville where her family has lived since Civil War days.

Surviving are five daughters and their partners: Sue Smith and Ruth Crocker, Jan Wire and Keith Van Damm, Donna and Louis Kroiz, Sara and John Genco, all of the Lovettsville area, and Carol Miller of Colorado; nine grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. Family and friends will remember Fran as a great listener and a sharp card player. She also enjoyed gardening, beekeeping, hatching butterflies, and having lunch with friends.

A Memorial will take place at a later date in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lovettsville Historical Society where she was a long time member.

Please share online condolences with the family at www.loudounfuneralchapel.com

and past officer of P.E.O., an international educational and philanthropic organization devoted to higher education for women. Janie loved to draw and paint with watercolors, an interest that began in the 5th grade when she received a set of colored pencils and a sketch book for Christmas. She was the President of the Loudoun Sketch Club and member of the Loudoun Arts Council, and regularly exhibited her work on the Western Loudoun Artists Studio tour.

Her artwork is still on display at the Government Center in downtown Leesburg, Virginia. In Hamilton, she served in various leadership roles, including President of the Hamilton Book Club from 2003 to 2005, as well as a member of the Loudoun Preservation Society. She enjoyed gardening at her home. She also loved animals and had dogs as her companions since she was two years old. Janie loved to travel in the U.S. and abroad, taking at least one extended trip a year with family members. Janie is survived by her husband, Reg Jones, her children and grandchildren, Rebecca and Ron Malsam and their sons, Michael, Kendall, and Jackson, Cathy Jones, Liz Jones-Torres, and her son, Vince, Rebecca and Reggie Jones and their sons, Ryan and Nicolas, and her brother, Ken Carnahan. She was predeceased by her grandson, Gregory Malsam. Relatives and friends may call on Sunday, February 6, 2022 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Hall Funeral Home, 140 S. Nursery Ave., Purcellville, VA 20132. A private funeral service and burial will be held for family and a celebration of life service will be held when the weather warms. Janie will be buried at Lakeview Cemetery at 25 N Laycock St, Hamilton, VA 20158. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Presbyterian Women of Cactoctin (PWOC), 15565 High St, Waterford, VA 20197.

Janie Jones Janie Jones of Hamilton, Virginia, a loving wife, and mother of four children and seven grandchildren, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2022 at the age of 86. Janie lived a full and joyful life, spending 65 of her 86 years happily married to her college sweetheart, Reg Jones. Born in Evanston, Illinois, she attended Riverside-Brookfield High School, where she graduated summa cum laude. An essay she wrote in her senior year won first prize and was placed under the cornerstone of the school where it remains today. She attended Lake Forest College on a full scholarship and graduated as a member of the Kappa Alpha honor society. While in college, she met Reg and they married on December 1, 1956. Because her grandmother was bedridden and unable to attend the service, General Electric placed a speakerphone in the church so her grandmother could hear the service while in bed wearing a radio headset - an historic first at the time. She and Reg moved to Virginia after Reg was drafted into the US Army and stationed at Fort Belvoir. While at Fort Belvoir, she taught fourth grade from 1957 to 1958. For thirty years, Janie was an active member of the Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Alexandria, Virginia where she was an Elder, served as Moderator of both the Board of Deacons and Presbyterian Women, as well as teacher and Director of the Preschool. After retiring, she and Reg moved to Hamilton, Virginia where they joined Catoctin Presbyterian Church in Waterford. There she served as Moderator of Presbyterian Women, chaired the Christian Education Committee, organized the first CROP Walk, served as Elder-Commissioner to the 216th General Assembly (PCUSA), and was a member of the Social Justice Committee for the National Capital Presbytery. She was also a member

Lives are like rivers: Eventually they go where they must, not where we want them to.

LoudounNow To place an obituary, contact Susan Styer at 703-770-9723 or email sstyer@loudounnow.com

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 16

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

AROUND towns continued from page 14

PURCELLVILLE PBA to Hear State of Town Address Town Manager David Mekarski will be the featured speaker at the Purcellville Business Association’s Feb. 8 meeting, delivering a State of Purcellville presentation.

The lunch program will be held at the Loudoun Golf & Country Club from noon to 1:30 p.m.

For tickets and details, go to purcellvillebusiness.org.

Post your job listings at NowHiringLoudoun.com Town of Leesburg Employment Opportunities Please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs for more information and to apply online.

Resumes may be submitted as supplemental only. EOE/ADA. Regular Full-Time Positions Position

Department

Salary Range

Closing Date

Accounting Associate II

Finance

$44,905-$76,882 DOQ

Open until filled

Deputy Director of Utilities

Utilities

$93,438-$159,968 DOQ

Open until filled

Director of Planning & Zoning

Planning & Zoning

$150,000-$180-000 DOQ

2/14/2022

Enterprise GIS Manager

Information Technology

$76,426-$130,688 DOQ

Open until filled

Events Coordinator

Parks & Recreation

$52,446-$89,790 DOQ

Open until filled

IT Systems Administrator

Information Technology

$70,374-$120,339 DOQ

Open until filled

Planner - Zoning Administration

Planning & Zoning

$61,857 - $105,896 DOQ

Open until filled Open until filled

Police Officer

Police

$62,000-$89,590 DOQ

Senior Management & Budget Analyst

Finance

$72,952-$124,893 DOQ

Open until filled

Stormwater & Environmental Manager

Public Works & Capital Projects

$82,999-$141,929 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility Plant Operator: Trainee, I, II, or Senior

Utilities

$50,000-$97,512

Open until filled

Utility Plant Technician or Senior Utility Plant Technician

Utilities

$50,000-$89,790 DOQ

Open until filled

Utility System Trainee or Technician

Utilities

$50,000-$76,882 DOQ

Open until filled

Wastewater Plant Operator: Trainee, I, II or Senior

Utilities

$50,000-$97,512 DOQ

Open until filled

Flexible Part-Time Position Position

Department

Hourly Rate

Closing Date

Administrative Associate

Thomas Balch Library

$20.51-$33.42 DOQ

Open until filled

Senior Engineer

Plan Review

$55.00-$70.00 DOQ

Open until filled

To review Ida Lee (Parks & Recreation) flexible part-time positions, please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs.

Most positions will be filled at or near the minimum of the range. Dependent on qualifications.

All Town vacancies may be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 67 and Verizon FiOS Channel 35.

SSTECH, LLC openings in Sterling, VA for IT professionals: DBA’s (MS + 6 months)- Req. exp. in: Oracle, SQL, PL/SQL, MySQL, ETL, UNIX or Linux IT Application Developers (.Net) (MS+6 months)- Req. exp. in: C#.NET, VB.NET, VB, Oracle, MySQL, .NET Framework, MVC, ASP.NET, WEB API Sr. IT Application Developers (Java) ( BS+5 yrs) - Req. exp. in at least 10 of following skills:

DRIVERS NEEDED Regular & CDL Call 703-737-3011

IT Application Developers (Java) (MS+6 months) - Req. exp. in at least 6 of following skills: “Struts, JSF, Spring, HTML, CSS, Java script, Bootstrap, JSP/Tiles, Hibernate, Angular/React, Node JS, , PCF, SQL, PL/SQL, OracleDB, MYSQL” IT DEVELOPERS (ERP) ( BS+5 yrs)- Req. exp. in: SAP-ABAP, Web Dynpro, BAPI, BADI, User Exits, Interfaces, Reports, , Dialog Programing, BDC, ALE/IDOCs. All positions employer will accept suitable combo of edu., training or exp.

Relocation & travel to various locations are possible.

Mail Resume to: SSTECH LLC, 21135 Whitfield Pl, Ste 206, Sterling, VA 20165.

Mayor Directs EDAC Review of Contract Mayor Kwasi Fraser last week blocked a Town Council discussion on the fate of its $10,000 contract to create an Amazon-like portal to help local businesses make online sales, removing it from the meeting agenda and directing the Economic Development Advisory Committee to conduct a review.

The contract with Glass Commerce, a California-based government procurement company, was pitched by Mayor Kwasi Fraser as a way to help give the town’s small businesses access to a larger customer base online.

Councilwoman Erin Rayner initially raised concerns last month that the program was having little benefit and seemed to lack both support from town businesses and customers accessing the database.

At the time, she noted the offerings appeared mainly to feature office supplies and Dollar Store-like items from out-of-town vendors. In recent weeks some of those items had been removed, Rayner noted during last week’s meeting, but she continued to question the value of the project.

When Rayner raised objections to the mayor’s decision to not allow a council discussion of the contract, Fraser said he had the authority to unilaterally remove any item from the council’s meeting agenda.

Several members joined Rayner in questioning the merits of the program, with Councilman Tip Stinnette saying the sooner the council made a decision to continue with the project or cut it loose the better. n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

PAGE 17

Loco Living

THINGS to do

‘An Inspector Calls’

LOCO LIVE Live Music: Chris Timbers

Jupiter Theater Company Brings A 1940s Classic to Loudoun

BY JAN MERCKER

jmercker@loudounnow.com

Are you a “Downton Abbey” devotee or a British crime drama super-fan? One of Loudoun’s newest theater companies has a production for you.

Jupiter Theater Company’s production of “An Inspector Calls” runs Feb. 3-6 at Middleburg Community Center. The classic 1940s play is part murder mystery, part social commentary and something of a departure from standard community theater fare.

Local teacher Christian Fernandez, whose background is in Shakespeare performance, founded the company in 2019 with a mission to bring his love of classical theater to Loudoun.

“We are focused on classic storytelling whether it’s classic plays like Shakespeare or classic stories,” Fernandez said.

This winter, the company shifts gears from its repertoire of Elizabethan, 18th Century and 19th Century comedies to a darker, edgier, more contemporary piece.

J.B. Priestley’s acclaimed play “An Inspector Calls,” which premiered in 1945, is set in a fictional English town in 1912.

The play follows the upper-class Birling family as a visit from the mysterious Inspector Goole shakes up their world.

Goole questions the family about the suicide of a young working-class woman, Eva Smith, and unearths the fact that nearly everyone in the family has unsavory connections to the dead woman.

Fernandez is a Patrick Henry College graduate who went on to earn a master’s of letters degree in Shakespeare performance from Mary Baldwin University.

Fernandez’s passion for classical theater led to internships at the nationally noted American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, which has close ties to the university. In 2018, he decided to bring that passion to Loudoun with a group of literature and theater-loving friends and fellow PHC graduates.

“It started with just a group of us wanting to do a play together. I had this passion for Shakespeare. Several other friends also had a passion for Shakespeare, and we’d all kind of grown in our own ways creatively … I finally said, ‘Let’s do a

Friday, Feb. 4, 6 p.m.

Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville Details: flyingacefarm.com Catch alternative soul tunes from a local favorite.

Live Music: Chris Bowen

Friday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m.

1836 Kitchen and Taproom, 34 E. Broad Way, Lovettsville Details: 1836kitchenandtaproom.com Kick back with great tunes from Western Loudoun singer/songwriter and one-man band Chris Bowen.

Live Music: Ginada Pinata

Friday, Feb. 4, 8 p.m.

Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville Details: monksq.com Shepherdstown-based Ginada Pinata taps the influences of jazz, funk, rock, fusion, trance and drum and bass and blends them to create an organic vibe.

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

From left, Inspector Goole, played by Mark Smith, shows the patriarch of the Birling family, played by Cory Grewell, a photo of Eva Smith as he investigates her death.

play together,’” Fernandez said.

The company put on its first production, the beloved Shakespeare comedy “As You Like It,” in 2019 and has since produced several other Shakespeare comedies, the 18th Century comedy of manners “She Stoops to Conquer” and Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

After getting off the ground with a series of comedies, Fernandez and the company’s board of directors decided it was time to shift gears and tackle a thought-provoking drama. Brother and sister co-directors Grace and John Richardson pitched “An Inspector Calls.” The siblings fell in love with the piece after seeing a 2015 film version and thought it would be a perfect fit for the company’s first foray into more serious drama.

“It’s a mystery and it’s very intriguing in that way. But it also has a very well-communicated point, and it makes you think and ask questions,” Grace Richardson said. “You leave the auditorium wondering about the questions it raises about human nature.”

Richardson, also a PHC alumna, has acted in several JTC productions and now

tackles her first show as director. For the directors, the play’s social commentary is especially timely, she said.

“This is going to make people think about what it means to be human and our responsibility to each other, especially in a time where there’s so much that makes us forget about the humanity of other people,” she said. “The story focuses on human value and human dignity– no matter what people are saying–and the fact that we all have that and we all need to pay attention to it.”

Round Hill resident Anne Bittner plays matriarch Sybil Birling, whose women’s charity refuses to help the destitute Eva. “I think it’s fun playing a challenging character,” Bittner said. “I’ve always wanted to play a haughty character and she’s like that. … It’s so much about who I am to try to bring a message that’s thoughtful and reflective and makes people think about something deeper in life.”

Bittner, a former professional actor, founded the Loudoun-based Christian theater company Lighthouse Drama AN INSPECTOR CALLS continues on page 19

Live Music: Wayne Snow

Saturday, Feb. 5, 1 p.m.

50 West Vineyards, 39060 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg Details: facebook.com/50westvineyards Wayne Snow is a singer/songwriter based out of Shepherdstown, WV, with a fun repertoire of indie, folk, pop and rock songs.

Live Music: Jason Teach

Saturday, Feb. 5, 2 p.m.

8 Chains North Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford Details: 8chainsnorth.com Longtime singer/songwriter Jason Teach brings his signature honest, heartfelt songwriting to 8 Chains North.

Live Music: Ken Wenzel

Saturday, Feb. 5, 2-5 p.m.

The Barns At Hamilton Station, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton Details: thebarnsathamiltonstation.com Wenzel returns to The Barns with his signature roots-rock, country-jazz take on love, learning and life in America.

Live Music: Jason Masi

Saturday, Feb. 5, 2 p.m.

Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro Details: doukeniewinery.com Enjoy a mellow afternoon of acoustic soul and R&B from local favorite Jason Masi.

THINGS TO DO continues on page 19

PAGE 18

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Tribute to Enslaved Ancestors Wins Prize at Cabin Fever Film Fest

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

A short film calling attention to the Arcola Quarters for the Enslaved took the top prize at the fifth annual Cabin Fever Film Fest.

Actor and recording artist Mike Ellison’s “Arcola Courters” won the Best of Loudoun-focused Film prize from Visit Loudoun.

Born in Ethiopia, Ellison employs entertainment as a vehicle to promote education and health initiatives throughout the United States and in his native country.

His film, “Arcola Courters,” shows Ellis making a visit to the building, a rare remaining home of enslaved people who worked the plantations in the region, with the narration consisting of a poem he wrote about the life endured within its walls, praising ancestors who lived there, and expressing hope for coming justice.

In accepting the award, Ellison referenced another film featured in the festival highlighting the work of the Land Trust of Virginia to secure conservation easements.

“One woman [in that film] talked about

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Mike Ellison, right, discusses his film “Arcola Courters” after it was selected as Best Loudoun-focused Film during the 2022 Cabin Fever Film Fest at the Franklin Park Arts Center.

passing something on to the next generation. Well, the people who suffered on this land have nothing to pass on,” Ellis said of those who lived in the Arcola quarters.

While it is important to now acknowledge the past injustices, Ellis said he is seeking to use his art to provoke dialogue

that corrects generational wrongs with tangible rights.

“I think that is important. I don’t think we’re talking about two different messages. We’re preserving history—its good, its bad, its beautiful, its ugly. However, it is ours, Americans, all of ours and it is ours

to do with what we want. And that can be beautiful, or it can be ugly, or it can be positive or it can be negative,” Ellis said.

“This place and this space is beautiful and positive, and I believe that will carry on for our beautiful county and our beautiful state and our beautiful country.”

The film can be viewed on YouTube at youtu.be/kv-e-FAx818.

The Arcola Quarters for the Enslaved is a county-owned property that is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and Virginia Historic Landmarks Registry. The structure was proffered to the county by the developer Hazout SA. The Friends of the Slave Quarters is leading the effort to preserve the building and develop programs to increase public awareness and support educational activities regarding Loudoun County’s African-American history.

The film “Anteaks Roadshow” by Phil Erickson and Penny Hauffe, landed this year’s Audience Favorite Award.

There was a tie for the Best Student-Produced Film between “The Young Women are NOT Getting Along” by Maddy Wade and “The Bun Buns got to Space” by Noah and Aaron Benson. n

We do the work. You get the credit.

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LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

PAGE 19

BEST BETS

An Inspector Calls continued from page 17

Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now

Arthur Birling, played by Cory Grewell, speaks during a celebratory family dinner in the opening scene of the Jupiter Theater Company’s production of “An Inspector Calls.”

which offered classes and productions for 11 years before closing its doors in 2020.

The Richardson siblings also made an effort to find new faces for the play’s second generation, including Ben Ellis, who plays the Birling’s son Eric–a dissipate drunk whose role in Eva’s misfortunes comes out in Goole’s interrogations. Founder Christian Fernandez’s wife Lauren Fernandez plays daughter Sheila Birling, whose conscience is awakened as the details of Eva’s situation come to light.

As the company grows, Fernandez said two of his priorities are affordability and immersion. The company chooses plays in the public domain or other works that don’t require high fees for production rights to keep ticket prices low. Audience immersion, influenced by the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse modeled after Elizabethan-era theater, is another key element, from performing “As You Like It” outdoors at Middleburg’s Camp Highroad to creating an intimate vibe at MCC for “Inspector” that puts audience in the living room with the characters and lets them experience the tension in the room “What is big for us is immersion and an immersive experience,” Fernandez said.

“Theater is beautiful and fantastic for its tangibility and viscerality. …The fact that you can be in the room with these characters, and you can feel the tension between them and feel like you’re part of the play with them. It’s imperative for us to highlight that beautiful aspect of theater.” n Jupiter Theater Company’s production of “An Inspector Calls” runs Thursday, Feb. 3 through Sunday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Middleburg Community Center. Tickets are $14 for general admission and $12 for students. For tickets and information, go to jupitertheatercompany.com.

CHRIS TIMBERS Friday, Feb. 4, 6-9 p.m.

Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery Flyingacefarm.com

CROWDED STREETS Saturday, Feb. 5, 7 p.m. (doors) Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

THINGS to do

Live Music: Moxie

Sunday, Feb. 6, 2 p.m.

Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro Details: harvestgap.com Get ready for Valentine’s Day with acoustic favorites that make your heart happy.

continued from page 17

Live Music: Juliet Lloyd

Saturday, Feb. 5, 5 p.m.

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg Details: lostbarrel.com Singer/songwriter/pianist Juliet Lloyd brings her signature pop, rock and classic soul favorites to Lost Barrel.

Live Music: Liberty Street

Saturday, Feb. 5, 5:30 p.m.

Flying Ace Distillery and Brewery, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville Details: flyingacefarm.com Kick back with soft rock favorites from Eric Stanley and Doug Wall.

Live Music: Crosstown Funk

Saturday, Feb. 5, 6 p.m.

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com Crosstown Funk brings old-school dance, disco, and soul tunes to Vanish.

Live Music: Melissa Quinn Fox

Saturday Feb. 5, 7 p.m.

Social House Kitchen and Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn Details: socialhouseashburn.com Fox returns to Social House with her signature highenergy blend of rock and country.

Live Music: Crowded Streets Dave Matthews Band Experience

Saturday, Feb. 5, 8 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com Catch your favorite Dave Matthews Band tunes from a Tally Ho favorite. Tickets are $15, $35 for VIP seats.

Live Music: Rowdy Acres

Saturday, Feb. 5, 8 p.m.

Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville Details: monksq.com This raucous bluegrass, country rock band plays traditional bluegrass, newgrass, country, classic rock, and southern rock–both covers and originals.

SCOTT KURT Sunday, Feb. 6, 2-5 p.m.

Dounkénie Winery dounkeniewinery.com

Live Music: Scott Kurt

Live Music: Dave Mininberg

Sunday. Feb. 6, 1 p.m.

50 West Vineyards, 39060 John Mosby Highway, Middleburg Details: facebook.com/50westvineyards Well known for his work with the band 7th Son of WV, Mininberg brings a unique blend of originals, classic rock, blues and country.

Live Music: Morris-Morris

Sunday, Feb. 6, 1 p.m.

Maggie Malick Wine Caves, 12138 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville Details: maggiemalickwinecaves.com Morris~Morris is a father/son duo performing standards, jazz, classic rock and blues.

Live Music: Freddie Long

Sunday, Feb. 6, 1:30 p.m.

Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville Details: sunsethillsvineyard.com Long is part introspective singer/songwriter, part bluesy classic rocker for a perfect winery afternoon vibe.

Sunday, Feb. 6, 2 p.m.

Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro Details: doukeniewinery.com Southern by way of the Rust Belt, Scott Kurt’s brand of country blends old-school outlaw grit with elements of guitar-driven rock.

LOCO CULTURE The Good Cause Pop Up Market

Saturday, Feb. 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Blikken Hut, 27 S. Loudoun St., Lovettsville Details: facebook.com/thegoodcauseva Local artisans and small businesses showcase their wares at this monthly pop up in a cool new venue.

Quentin Walston Piano Concert

Saturday, Feb. 5, 2 p.m.

Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road NW, Leesburg Details: library.loudoun.gov Jazz pianist Quentin Walston performs a solo “In the Stacks” library concert.

Live Music: Shane Gamble

Sunday, Feb. 6, 2 p.m.

8 Chains North Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford Details: 8chainsnorth.com Gamble serves up country tunes in a cozy setting.

Mike Tash and Mary Shaver Trio

Sunday, Feb. 6, 2-5 p.m.

The Barns At Hamilton Station, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton Details: thebarnsathamiltonstation.com Bass player Bob Mallardi joins longtime musical collaborators Mary Shaver and Mike Tash for an afternoon of bluesy tunes and soulful vocals.

Franklin Park Planetarium Shows

Sunday, Feb. 6, 1-4 p.m.

Franklin Park Arts Center, 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville Details: franklinparkartscenter.org Step inside Franklin Park’s Digitalis Delta 4 inflatable planetarium to experience the wonder of space and learn to identify constellations. Masks are required.

Shows last 40 minutes and take place on the hour.

Tickets are $8.

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FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Celebrating Love in Loudoun

BY VISIT LOUDOUN

It’s not just couples who should have all the fun this Valentine’s Day. It’s the season of love and to celebrate everyone from your kids to grandparents and friends. Thanks to our fictional friend Leslie Knope, we even have Galentine’s Day on Feb. 13—a celebration of female friendship in all its forms.

So how best to enjoy this month dedicated to showering our friends and family with love?

Start off the celebrations on Feb. 13 at Lost Barrel Brewing in Middleburg for a “beer and beautiful blooms” event.

Loudoun florist Angela Snyder Rabena of Blooms2u will be on hand with fresh seasonal flowers and to share tips on how to make the perfect floral arrangement.

“This is a day for individuals to celebrate with their friends rather than their significant other,” said Lost Barrel Marketing and Events Manager Natalie

Femia. “We like doing both Galentine’s and Valentine’s celebrations because it appeals to all.”

What to drink between bouquet advice? Try the superb Harvest Ale or a glass of wine, but make sure not to miss the DIY Table Side Mimosa bar. Get those bubbles going!

What better way to complete a day with friends than with some decadent pampering? It’s not far down Route 50 from Middleburg to King Spa, the sprawling new Korean wellness emporium in South Riding. A day pass for as little as $60 gets you access to state-of-the-art steam rooms, saunas, thermal baths and a vast rooftop swimming pool complex replete with waterfalls and hot tubs.

Treatments—massages, scrubs, rubs and facials—are extra. Treat your girlfriends any day of the month. They will love you forever.

What about a day with the kids? Stay warm and indoors at popular DIY space

Legal Notices

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER REVIEW AND ADOPTION OF A NEW COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Pursuant to Sections 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205, and 15.2-2223 et seq. of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on TUESDAY, February 8, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 regarding adoption of a new Comprehensive Plan, or “Town Plan”. The Town Plan will also incorporate other documents under separate cover including the Eastern Gateway District Small Area Plan and Crescent District Master Plan which were previously adopted, and a Streetscape Plan, and Transportation Improvement Plan which will guide potential streetscape and transportation improvements in the Town.

Review of the Town Plan began in January of 2021, and an initial public hearing was held by the Planning Commission on April 1, 2021, which was followed by eight months of review and refinement by the Planning Commission. A November 23, 2021 Draft of Legacy Leesburg that included changes proposed by the Planning Commission based on input from the public, Town Boards and Commissions, and staff, was certified by the Planning Commission and forwarded to the Town Council subsequent to a second public hearing of the Planning Commission held on December 2, 2021.

Credit: Lost Barrel Brewing

Area Valentine’s Day activities include Lost Barrel Brewing’s offering of a day of beer and beautiful blooms on Feb. 13 near Middleburg.

AR Workshop in The Village at Leesburg where you and your little ones get to create everything from porch signs to canvas bags to wall hangings. Order the workshop’s Valentine’s DIY To Go Kit in advance (a pack of stencils, wood, paint and

brushes) and you can all craft decorative pieces for V-day gifts.

Loudoun wineries are always a good place to celebrate, but the Village Winery in Waterford is a unique spot for the whole family: the owners make apple wine from heirloom apples but also produce high, antioxidant non-alcoholic Honeyberry Juice, an Elderberry and Aronia Lemonade and a green tea made from Elderberry and Aronia honey. Drinks the whole family can enjoy. Wine tastings will never be the same again.

Then, there are the grandparents. Treat them and the grandkids to bowling. Newly opened The Branch in Leesburg is a retro-style bowling alley with 16 lanes, each named for a Loudoun town or village. Show your skills like The Dude on the lanes and then indulge in nachos, wings, chili cheese fries and juicy burgers at the site’s buzzy restaurant-bar.

Oh, and don’t forget: Galentine’s Day is also Super Bowl Sunday. Wherever you are, make sure you’re close to a TV. For more ways to celebrate the season of love, check out visitloudoun.org. n

Figure 1 – Area Based Land Use Initiatives Chapter 4 provides a series of place based recommendations. The Town Plan will identify “Development Opportunity Areas” and provide a series of recommendations for implementing growth and change in particular areas of the Town. The recommendations also include a series of zconcept sketches that illustrate the spirit of how recommendations can be implemented to achieve the Town’s vision for the future. Chapter 5 of the Town Plan will provide an approach for implementing the vision, goals, and strategies described in preceding chapters.

Additional information about the proposed Town Plan and copies of the document are available for review through the project website at https://legacy.leesburgva.gov or at the Department of Planning and Zoning located on the 2nd floor of the Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling Richard Klusek, Senior Planner, at 703-771-2758 or by emailing rklusek@leesburgva.gov. This comprehensive update to the Town Plan is identified as case number TLTA-2021-0001, “New Town Plan”.

At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning this matter will be heard.

Persons requiring special accommodations at the Town Council meeting should contact the Clerk of the Council at 703-771-2733, three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

The new Town Plan, referred to as “Legacy Leesburg”, is intended to guide and shape the Town’s future for the next 20 years and beyond. It is based on a series of five guiding principles that will help manage growth and change within the Town Limits and the Joint Land Management Area (JLMA), which is jointly planned by both Loudoun County and the Town of Leesburg.

A summary of the public outreach effort and topics that emerged is included in Chapter 1 of the Plan document. The Plan document places particular emphasis on defining the character of Leesburg and growing over time in a manner that preserves and protects that character. Chapter 2 of the Plan document reviews background information including demographic and real estate trends that form the basis for many policy recommendations.

Chapter 3 provides the framework for achieving growth and change in the future. It includes a map and description of Four Land Use Initiatives to guide growth and change (Figure 1), a map and description of Character Areas for Preservation & Change (available in the Town Plan document), and a framework of goals and strategies organized around guiding principles that serve as the foundation for decision making moving forward. This framework represents in shift in the way of planning for the future of Leesburg. The current Town Plan was adopted in 2012 and is generally more prescriptive with respect to prescribing specific land uses and intensities while the proposed Legacy Leesburg Town Plan focuses on character defining elements and character designations.

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Legal Notices COUNTY OF LOUDOUN SUPPLEMENTAL REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX DEADLINE H. Roger Zurn, Jr., Treasurer

MIDDLEBURG TOWN COUNCIL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING On Thursday, the 24th day of February, 2022, the Council of the Town of Middleburg, Virginia (the “Town”), will hold a public hearing on the proposed issuance of bonds of the Town in the estimated maximum principal amount of $2,500,000 to finance the costs of various capital improvement projects for governmental purposes, including but not limited to the additional costs of completing the design, acquisition, construction and equipping of a new Town Hall. Such bonds shall be general obligations of the Town to the payment of which the Town’s full faith and credit shall be irrevocably pledged.

The public hearing, which may be continued or adjourned, will be held at 6:00 P.M., local time, or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, in the Town Hall Council Chambers at 10 West Marshall Street, Middleburg, Virginia 20118. Interested persons may appear at such time and place and present their views.

Rhonda S. North, MMC Town Clerk Town of Middleburg, Virginia 2/3 & 2/10/22

February 7, 2022 The deadline for payment of the Supplemental Real Estate and Personal Property taxes are on February 7, 2022.

Please Note: Payments received or postmarked after February 7, 2022, will incur a 10 percent late payment penalty. Additional interest at the rate of 10 percent per annum will be assessed. In addition to the late payment penalty for Personal Property Taxes, if the taxes remain unpaid for 60 days after the original payment due date, the taxpayer shall incur an additional 15% penalty of the total amount due.

The due date will not be extended for bills where assessment questions have been filed with the Board of Equalization. Taxpayers who are having financial difficulties should contact our Collections Team at 703-771-5656 who stand ready to assist.

For Your Safety and Convenience, please consider making payments online, by phone or mail.

CONVENIENT PAYMENT OPTIONS AND LOCATIONS Online:

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING SETTING TAX RATES ON PERSONAL PROPERTY (SECTION 20-22), VEHICLE LICENSE FEE (SECTION 32-84), MOTOR VEHICLE TAX REDUCTION (SECTION 20-25), AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF (SECTION 20-30) FOR TAX YEAR 2022, AND AMENDING LEESBURG TOWN CODE SECTION 20-25 AND APPENDIX B – FEE SCHEDULE

www.loudounportal.com/taxes Pay using electronic check, VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover

Pay your taxes through your mobile device: Link2Loudoun app is available for free from the iPhone App Store and the Google Play Store. The app allows access to www.loudounportal.com/taxes to pay your taxes.

By Telephone:

In accordance with the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, §§ 15.2-1427, 46.2-752, 58.1-3000, 58.1-3007, 58.1-3503, 58.1-3506, 58.1-3506.1, 58.1-3515 and 58.1-3524, the Leesburg Town Council will hold a public hearing on:

24-hour line 1-800-269-5971 703-777-0280 during regular business hours.

Pay using electronic check, VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover

Please note: There is a convenience fee added to a Credit Card transaction.

There is no fee for electronic checks (e-check).

Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA.

By Mail:

at which time the public shall have the right to present oral and written testimony on the following proposed amendments to the Leesburg Town Code: • The Town Manager proposes tax rates for personal property (per $100.00 of assessed value) for tax year 2022 to remain unchanged, as follows: ○ Aircraft = $0.001 ○ Motor vehicles = $1.00 ○ Motor vehicles of eligible elderly and disabled (Town Code Sec. 20-25) = $0.50 ○ Tangible personal property (excluding public service corporations) = $1.00 ○ Bank capital = $.80 per $100.00 of the net capital of banks located in the Town.

• The Town Manager proposes unchanged personal property tax relief for tax year 2022 under the provisions of the Virginia Personal Property Tax Relief Act and Leesburg Town Code sec. 20-30, as follows: a reduced personal property tax rate of 50%, which shall be applied solely to that portion of the value of each qualifying vehicle that is not in excess of $20,000.

• The Town Manager proposes that the vehicle license fee for tax year 2022 remain unchanged at $25.00 per vehicle.

Copies of the proposed ordinance are available for public examination prior to the public hearing in the office of the Clerk of Council at Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA, during normal business hours. For more information about the ordinance, please contact Clark G. Case, Director of Finance and Administrative Services at 703-771-2720.

Persons requiring reasonable accommodations are requested to contact Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council at 703-771-2733, three days in advance of the public hearing. For TTY/TTD services, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

County of Loudoun P.O. Box 1000 Leesburg, Virginia 20177-1000 TREASURER’S OFFICE LOCATIONS Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

1 Harrison Street, S.E. 1st Floor Leesburg, Virginia 20175

21641 Ridgetop Circle Suite 104 Sterling, Virginia 20166

*A 24 hour drop box is located outside the Sterling and Leesburg locations.

Please contact the Loudoun County Treasurer’s Office at 703-777-0280 or email us at taxes@loudoun.gov with questions or if you have not received your bill.

Stay up to date on tax information by subscribing to the Tax Notices category of Alert Loudoun at www.louduon.gov/alert. You can also text the word “TAXES” to 888777 to receive text messages about tax-related information, including upcoming deadlines. Additional message and data rates may apply.

For information regarding Real Property Tax Relief for the Elderly or Disabled Persons, please contact the Tax Relief Division of the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office at trcor@loudoun.gov, by phone at 703-737-8557 or visit www.loudoun.gov/taxrelief.

For information regarding Personal Property Tax Relief for the Elderly or for Disabled Persons, please contact the Tax Relief Division of the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office at trcor@loudoun.gov by phone 703-737-8557 or visit www.loudoun.gov/taxrelief.

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FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Legal Notices PUBLIC HEARING The LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room on the first floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following:

ZMAP-2021-0004 & SPEX-2021-0007 COLONNADE (Zoning Map Amendment and Special Exception)

DTC Partners, LLC of Rockville, Maryland has submitted applications for the following: 1) to rezone approximately 4.15 acres from the PD-CC(NC) (Planned Development – Commercial Center (Neighborhood Center)) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the R-16 ADU (Townhouse/Multifamily Residential – 16, Affordable Dwelling Unit Development Regulations) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop up to 61 single-family attached dwelling units at a density of 14.7 dwelling units per acre; and 2) a Special Exception to reduce the front yard setback from 15 to 10 feet for rear-loaded single-family attached dwelling units in the R-16 ADU zoning district. The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District. The subject property is approximately 4.15 acres in size and located in the northeast corner of the intersection of City Center Boulevard (Route 1345) and Stefanie Drive (Route 2879). The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 029-28-5117. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed Use Place Type)), which designate this area for a mix of Residential, Commercial, Entertainment, Cultural, and Recreational uses at up to 1.0 floor area ratio (FAR).

SIDP-2021-0003 XCAL SHOOTING SPORTS & FITNESS SIGN DEVELOPMENT PLAN (Sign Development Plan)

Caliber Club Sports Inc. of Frederick, Maryland, has submitted an application for a Sign Development Plan to request alternative sign regulations for permitted signs in order to modify: 1) the total aggregate sign area; 2) the maximum number of signs; and 3) the maximum area for any one sign for signs for Commercial Office and Industrial uses. The subject property is being developed pursuant to ZRTD-20140006, Commonwealth Center, in the PD-IP (Planned Development-Industrial Park) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and pursuant to Section 5-1202(E) alternative sign regulations for permitted signs may be requested with the submission of a Sign Development Plan. The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District and within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 noise contours. The subject property is approximately 5.4 acres in size and is located on the south side of Harry Byrd Highway (Route 7) and on the north side of Russell Branch Parkway (Route 1061) at 44950 Russel Branch Parkway, Ashburn, Virginia, in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 039-16-7892. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed Use Place Type)), which designate this area for a compact, pedestrian-oriented environment consisting of a vertical mix of Residential, Commercial, Entertainment, Cultural, and Recreational uses.

CMPT-2021-0002 & SPMI-2021-0001 GLOBAL PLAZA SUBSTATION (Commission Permit & Minor Special Exception)

Virginia Electric and Power Company of Glen Allen, Virginia, has submitted an application for Commission approval to permit development of an Electric Utility Substation, Distribution in the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) zoning district. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, and requires a Commission Permit in accordance with Section 6-1101. The modification of the Additional Regulations applicable to the proposed Electric Utility Substation use is authorized by Minor Special Exception under Section 5-600, Additional Regulations for Specific Uses (the Minor Special Exception application is not subject to consideration by the Planning Commission and requires approval only by the Board of Supervisors), pursuant to which the Applicant requests the following modification(s): ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION §5-616(D), Additional Regulations for Specific Uses, Utility Substations

PROPOSED MODIFICATION Modify the Type C Buffer Yard requirements along the southern and eastern perimeters to reduce the ultimate buffer widths, allow a portion of the buffering to occur on a separate parcel, create interim buffer widths, and create interim buffer landscaping.

The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District and the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, between the Ldn 60-65 and outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60 aircraft noise contours. The subject property is an approximately 4.6-acre portion of a larger parcel that is located in the east quadrant of the intersection of Pacific Boulevard (Route 1036) and Relocation Drive (Route 775) and on the west side of Fitness Court (Route 1700) in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as:

PIN

PROPERTY ADDRESS

045-39-6350

N/A

045-39-9350 (portion)

N/A

The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Employment Place Type)), which designate this area for a Mix of Office, Production, Research and Development, and Flex space as Core uses at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 1.0.

ZMAP-2020-0012 & SPEX-2021-0020 MOUNTAIN VIEW RESIDENTIAL (Zoning Map Amendment & Special Exception)

43500 Mountain View Dr LLC, of Brambleton, Virginia, and 43474Mountainviewdr LLC, of Chantilly, Virginia, have submitted applications for the following: 1) to rezone approximately 6.33 acres from the CR-1 (Countryside Residential - 1) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the R-8 ADU (Single Family Residential - 8, ADU Development Regulations) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop 41 Single Family Attached residential units, at a density of approximately 6.5 dwelling units per acre; and 2) A Special Exception to permit the modification of the minimum yard requirements for ADU developments in the R-8 ADU zoning district. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance and the proposed modification of the minimum yard requirements for ADU developments in the R-8 ADU zoning district is authorized by Special Exception under Section 7-803(C)(4). The subject property is located within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, between the Ldn 60-65 aircraft noise contours and is also located within the QN (Quarry Notification) Overlay District, Chantilly Crush Stone Note Area. The subject property is approximately 6.33 acres in size and is located on the north side of Mountain View Drive (Route 834), west of Poland Road (Route 742) and south of Savoy Woods Court (Route 2290) in the Dulles Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as: PIN

PROPERTY ADDRESS

128-39-9805

43500 Mountain View Drive, Chantilly, Virginia

128-39-6515

43474 and 43494 Mountain View Drive, Chantilly, Virginia

The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area) in the Suburban Neighborhood Place Type which designate this area for predominately Residential uses on medium-to-large lots with a residential density up to four dwelling units per acres, or up to six units per acre for infill development, and a total non-residential Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 1.0.

SPEX-2021-0003 QUARLES PETROLEUM FUEL STATION (Special Exception)

Quarles Petroleum, Inc. of Fredericksburg, Virginia, has submitted an application for a Special Exception to permit an Automobile Service Station use in the PD-GI (Planned Development - General Industrial) zoning district. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed use is listed as a Special Exception use under Section 4-604(X). The subject property is located outside of but within one (1) mile of the LDN 60 aircraft noise contour. The subject property is approximately 4.9 acres in size and is located north of Overland Drive (Route 2962) on the east side of Pebble Run Place (Route 2963) at 23560 Pebble Run Place, Sterling, Virginia, in the Dulles Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 123-19-1239. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area Suburban Industrial/Mineral Extraction)) which designate this area for large manufacturing, contractor with outdoor storage, and other productive uses.

Unless otherwise noted in the above notices, copies of the above-referenced amendments, applications, ordinances, and/or plans and related documents may be examined by request at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 703-777-0246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies, or electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. This link also provides an additional opportunity for public input on active applications. To arrange a time to view the file at the Loudoun County Government Center, please email dpz@loudoun. gov or call 703-777-0246, or you may view the file electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. For detailed instructions on how to access documents using LOLA, to request that documents be emailed

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Legal Notices to you, to receive physical copies of documents, or to arrange a time to view the file at the Loudoun County Government Center, please email DPZ@loudoun.gov or call 703-777-0246 (option 5). Additionally, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically the week before the hearing at www.loudoun.gov/pc.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, members of the public are encouraged to view the public hearing electronically; however, the Board Room will be open for any members of the public who wish to attend in person with appropriate physical distancing. Planning Commission public hearings are available for viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23, Open Band Channel 40, and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/webcast.

All members of the public will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Citizens are encouraged to call in advance to sign up to speak at the public hearing. If you wish to sign up in advance of the hearing, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 prior to 12:00 PM on the day of the public hearing. Speakers may also sign up at the hearing.

Written comments are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Loudoun County Planning Commission, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., 3rd Floor, MSC #62, Leesburg, Virginia 20175, or by e-mail to loudounpc@loudoun.gov. Any individual representing and/or proposing to be the sole speaker on behalf of a citizen’s organization or civic association is encouraged to contact the Department of Planning and Zoning prior to the date of the public hearing if special arrangements for additional speaking time and/or audio-visual equipment will be requested. Such an organization representative will be

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF LOUDOUN (Civil Division) Petitioners: Respondent:

Wendy Isabella Robinson Alaric Daniel Robinson Jay Clayton Stroup

In the Matter of the Proposed Adoption of Sophie Elaina Stroup Case No.: CA 22-5

ORDER OF PUBLICATION THE OBJECT of the above-styled case is to obtain an Order of Adoption.

IT APPEARING TO THE COURT

by Affidavit filed according to law that the whereabouts of Jay Clayton Stroup, the above-named Respondent, are unknown, that Complainant has exercised due diligence to ascertain his current address and has been unsuccessful, and that Jay Clayton Stroup’s last known physical address is: 747 Alder Circle, Virginia Beach, VA 23462; it is therefore

allotted 6 minutes to speak, and the Chairman may grant additional time if the request is made prior to the date of the hearing and the need for additional time is reasonably justified.

Citizens are encouraged to call the Department of Planning and Zoning on the day of the public hearing to confirm that an item is on the agenda, or, the most current agenda may be viewed on the Planning Commission’s website at www.loudoun.gov/pc. In the event that the second Thursday is a holiday or the meeting may not be held due to inclement weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend, the meeting will be moved to the third Tuesday of the month.

In the event that Tuesday is a holiday or the Tuesday meeting may not be held due to inclement weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend, the meeting will be held on the following Thursday. The meeting will be held at a place determined by the Chairman.

Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings at all other locations. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory or mental disability to participate in this meeting, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246. Please provide three days’ notice.

BY ORDER OF: FOREST HAYES, CHAIRMAN LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 2/3 & 2/10/22

ATTENTION LOUDOUN COUNTY COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

INCOME AND EXPENSE SURVEYS DUE MARCH 1

Case No.:

To facilitate the establishment of accurate real estate assessments for tax year 2023, as authorized

by Virginia Code § 58.1-3294, I am requesting that owners of income-producing real estate provide a calendar year 2021 certified statement of income and expenses. This information, which shall be kept confidential in accordance with Virginia Code § 58.1-3, will be utilized to determine fair market values for tax assessment purposes. The survey forms are available online at www.loudoun.gov/income-expense and should be returned to my office by email or regular mail by March 1, 2022.

Commercial property owners are encouraged to review and verify our record of property characteristics online at www.loudoun.gov/parceldatabase to assist us in ensuring fair and equitable property valuations.

To protect the safety of taxpayers and staff and slow the spread of COVID-19, we encourage you to connect with us virtually because most transactions with our office can be done online. For information or filing assistance, please visit www.loudoun.gov/cor or contact my office at commercialre@loudoun.gov or 703-777-0260.

Robert S. Wertz, Jr. Commissioner of the Revenue Loudoun County

The object of this suit is to petition fo rname change of minor.

It is ORDERED that Christopher Zug appear at the above-named Court and protect their interests on or before March 4, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.

1/13, 1/20, 1/27, & 2/3/2022

ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 1-211.1; 8.01-316, -317, 20-104

In re Name Change Victoria Noelle Zug The object of this suit is to petition fo rname change of minor.

2/3 & 2/17/22

It is ORDERED that Christopher Zug appear at the above-named Court and protect their interests on or before March 4, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.

1/13, 1/20, 1/27, & 2/3/2022

NOTICE OF ABANDONED BICYCLES Notice is hereby given that the bicycles described below were found and delivered to the Office of the Sheriff of Loudoun County; if the owners of the listed bicycles are not identified within sixty (60) days following the final publication of this notice, the individuals who found said bicycles shall be entitled to them if he/she desires.

All unclaimed bicycles will be handled according to Chapter 228.04 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County.

Description

Case Number

Recovery Date

Recovery Location

Phone Number

Huffy Trail Runner mountain bike

SO220000735

1/14/2022

705 N Belfort St. Sterling, VA

703-777-0610 2/3 & 2/10/22

LoudounNow.com

In re Name Change Cyrus Lee Zug

CL21-2167, Loudoun County Circuit Court 18 East Market St., Leesburg, VA 20176

Phone: 703-777-0260 E-mail: commercialre@loudoun.gov Website: www.loudoun.gov/cor

2/3, 2/10, 2/17 & 2/24/22

CL21-2168, Loudoun County Circuit Court 18 East Market St., Leesburg, VA 20176

Case No.:

MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 8000, Leesburg, VA 20177-9804

ORDERED, pursuant to VA. CODE ANN. § 8.01-316 (Michie 2000), as amended that said Respondent is to appear on or before the 18 day of March 2022 at 2:00 PM, in the Clerk’s Office of this Court and to do what is necessary to protect his interests.

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 1-211.1; 8.01-316, -317, 20-104

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 24

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Legal Notices ORDER OF PUBLICATION

County of Loudoun, Virginia Availability of COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) 2022-2023 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN AND SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:

JJ040959-26-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Madison Bartlett Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v.

Unknown Father

The Loudoun County Office of Housing has prepared the CDBG Program FY 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan for submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by May 15, 2022.

The object of this suit is to hold an adjudicatory hearing pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-252 for Madison Bartlett, and; hold a dispositional hearing for review of initial Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-278.2 and 16.1-281 for Madison Bartlett.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Unknown father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before Adjudication on February 23, 2022 at 3:00 pm, and Dispositional on March 23, 2022 at 3:00 pm.

2/3, 2/10, 2/17 & 2/24

HUD has designated Loudoun County as qualified for Urban County participation in the CDBG program and entitled to receive CDBG funding directly from HUD. HUD regulations require the adoption of the above referenced Plan, which outlines the County’s housing and community development needs, priorities and objectives, and proposed use of the federal funds for the ensuing CDBG program year.

Components of the Annual Action Plan include, without limitation, descriptions of: • • • • •

Federal and other resources expected to be available; Leveraging of resources and how match obligations will be met; The activities to be undertaken; The geographic distribution of investment; and Planned homeless and other special needs activities.

In accordance with HUD requirements, 24 CFR §91.105 Citizen Participation Plan, a Substantial Amendment is required when there is a change in the purpose, scope, location, or beneficiaries of an activity with regard to a previous FY approved Annual Action Plan. The following projects and activities will be reprogrammed from the specific years’ programs and activities into to PY19 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan for the activity Habitat for Humanity in the amount of $ 323,926.22 and Public Services Activity Northern Virginia Dental Clinic in the amount of $16,080.84.

Reimbursements to the subrecipients of the activities indicated below have been made and the file is complete. Activities with unexpended funds are attributed to the completion or cancellation of the activity within the program year. Unexpended funds from completed or cancelled activities are then reprogramed into a new activity to be expended.

PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) The Town of Leesburg will accept proposals electronically via the Commonwealth’s e-procurement website (www.eva.virginia. gov), until 3:00 p.m. on March 1, 2022 for the following:

RFP No. 500640-FY22-27 Class A Biosolids Beneficial Use, Distribution, and Marketing Plan The Town of Leesburg is soliciting proposals for the purchase, removal and beneficial use of the Class A dried biosolids product produced by the Town’s Water Pollution Control Facility. The successful offeror(s) will be responsible for removal and will develop either a beneficial use plan or a distribution and marketing plan for the beneficial use of the Water Pollution Control Facility’s Class A dried biosolids product.

For additional information, visit: http://www.leesburgva.gov/bidboard 2/3/22

Program Program Year

Fiscal Year

IDIS Activity Number

12

2015

134

ARC of Loudoun Co.

$485,544.24

$334.29

Activity completed Reprogram unexpended funds

15

2018

170

Town of Leesburg

$46,872.00

$9,721.00

Activity completed Reprogram unexpended funds

16

2019

181

Good Shepherd Alliance

$30,000.00

$2,783.72

Activity completed Reprogram; unexpended funds

16

2019

180

Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing

$200,000

$200,000

Activity cancelled reprogram funds

16

2019

187

Town of Leesburg

$74,596.91

$74,596.91

Activity cancelled Reprogram funds

16

2019

186

Latino Economic Dev. Corp.

$20,071.73

$1,288.14

Activity completed Reprogram unexpended funds

17

2020

199

INMED/Healthy Families

$77,924.00

$4,465.31

Activity completed Reprogram unexpended funds

17

2020

201

Good Shepherd Alliance

$47,404.37

$7,543.67

Activity completed Reprogram unexpended funds

17

2020

206

INMED/Opp. Center

$211,770.00

$13,571.02

Activity completed Reprogram unexpended funds

17

2020

205

Cornerstones

$200,000.00

$25,703.00

Activity completed reprogram unexpended funds

Subrecipient

Original Award

Unexpended Funds to be Reprogrammed

Detail

Copies of the proposed Plan are available and may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. The Plan is also available online at www.loudoun.gov/cdbg. Written comments on the Plan may be submitted to the attention of the CDBG Program Manager Eileen Barnhard at the Loudoun County Office of Housing, 106 Catoctin Circle, S.E., First Floor, Leesburg, Virginia 20177 through March 9, 2022.

1/27 & 2/3/22

LoudounNow.com

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

PAGE 25

Legal Notices TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

HILLSBORO TOWN HALL • 37098 HISTORIC CHARLES TOWN PIKE • HILLSBORO, VIRGINIA

The Lovettsville Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers located at 6 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, VA 20180, to solicit public comment of the following zoning map amendment application:

LVRZ 2021-0002 Fields Office Park, 53 South Loudoun Street The Lovettsville Planning Commission will consider a zoning map amendment application filed by Alice Fields to rezone property located at 53 South Loudoun Street from R-1 Residential District to C-1 Community Commercial District. The application also proposes to reduce the landscape buffer width required pursuant to Lovettsville Zoning Ordinance Section 42-364, Buffering and Screening, from 17 feet to 9 feet; and reduce the parking required by Lovettsville Zoning Ordinance Section 42-286, Minimum Off-Street Parking, from 10 spaces to 7 spaces.

The property is particularly described as Parcel Identification Number 370-20-0508. The property is 12,196.8 square feet in size and is occupied by a residence with a gross floor area of 2,316 square feet.

The application proposes to use the existing residential building to establish the applicant’s medical office and offer additional office space for rent. The application also proposes to construct a 728-square foot building on the property to provide additional meeting space and a vehicle garage. The Lovettsville Comprehensive Plan designates this property for Office Commercial use.

All persons desiring to speak will be given an opportunity to do so at this meeting.

The application is available for review online at www.lovettsvilleva.gov/government/planning-commission or at the Lovettsville Administrative Complex between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. weekdays or by special appointment, holidays excepted. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened at the next regular scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission at the same time and place.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact John Merrithew, Zoning Administrator for the Town of Lovettsville at (540) 755-3004 or by email at jmerrithew@lovettsvilleva.gov.

2/3/2022 & 2/10/2022

LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING COMPETITIVE BIDS/PROPOSALS FOR:

SEALED

CONSTRUCTION OF TALL CEDARS PARKWAY AND ELK LICK ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT, IFB No. 454782 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, March 14, 2022.

RENTAL OF PORTABLE TOILETS – SCHOOL SITES, IFB No. 482783 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, February 15, 2022.

YOUTH RESIDENTIAL CRISIS STABILIZATION PROGRAM, RFP No. 472783 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, March 4, 2022.

Solicitation forms may be obtained 24 hours a day by visiting our web site at www.loudoun.gov/procurement. If you do not have access to the Internet, call (703) 777-0403, M - F, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

WHEN CALLING, PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY TYPE OF DISABILITY IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCUREMENT. 2/3/22

INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) NUMBER 2022-HBT

BY THE TOWN OF HILLSBORO, VIRGINIA, FOR

Multi-Use Trail Construction Projects Stony Point Trail, Gaver Mill Trail and GapWay Trail Federal Project CN No.: TAP-5B01(184); TAP-5B01(185); TAP-236(002) VDOT Project: EN18-236-201, EN18-236-002 and EN17-236-116 UPC 113606; UPC 113635 and UPC 111405 The Town of Hillsboro, Virginia, will publicly open sealed bids beginning at 1 p.m., local time, on Thursday, February 24, 2022, at the Town offices located at 37098 Charles Town Pike, Second Floor, Hillsboro, VA, 20132, for the following projects: Stony Point Trail, Gaver Mill Trail, GapWay Trail.

The Town offices are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (Excluding Town Holidays), to receive delivery of sealed bids. Plans and Specifications may be viewed and downloaded at the Town website: www.HillsboroVa.gov/capitalbid and eVA at: https://mvendor.cgieva.comNendor/public/ADVSODetails.jsp?Details Page=ADVSODetails.jsp&DOC CD=IFB&DEPT CD=L524&BID INTRNL NO=6341&BID NO=6341&BID VERS NO=1 Bidders are responsible to check the Town website for updates. Plans and Specifications may also be examined at the following location: Hillsboro Town Hall 37098 Charles Town Pike Hillsboro, VA 20132 540-486-8001 A non-mandatory pre-bidders conference will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2022, beginning at 1 p.m. in the auditorium of Hillsboro Town Hall, 37098 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro, Virginia, 20132.

Town of Hillsboro COVID protocols, including masks and social distancing, will be in effect.

Each bidder must show evidence that it is licensed to do business in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Each bidder must be preapproved by VDOT. The Town of Hillsboro reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

MBE/WBE firms are encouraged to bid. Bidders must comply with the following: the President’s Executive Order #11246 prohibiting discrimination in employment regarding race, color, creed, sex, or national origin; the President’s Executive Orders #12138 and 11625 regarding utilization of MBE/WBE firms; the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Davis Bacon Act; Section 436 of P. L. 113-76 American Iron and Steel; and confirm that they do not or will not maintain or provide for their employees any facilities that are segregated on the basis of race, color, creed, or national origin.

Unless canceled or rejected, a responsive bid from the lowest responsible bidder shall be accepted as submitted, except that if the bid from the lowest responsible bidder exceeds available funds, the public body may negotiate with the apparent low bidder to obtain a contract price within available funds. However, the negotiation may be undertaken only under conditions and procedures described in writing and approved by the public body prior to issuance of the Invitation to Bid and summarized therein.

The bidder shall give notice in writing of his claim of right to withdraw his bid within two business days after the conclusion of the bid opening procedure and shall submit original work papers with such notice.

Hard copies of contract documents may be requested for purchase from the Town.

Invitation for Bids #2022-HBT

LoudounNow.com

LoudounNow.com

1/27, 2/3, 2/10/22

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 26

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Legal Notices ATTENTION LOUDOUN COUNTY VEHICLE OWNERS FILING DUE FEBRUARY 15

Create Local Jobs

Notification of 2022 Personal Property filing requirements has recently been mailed to all owners of record in order to establish accurate assessment information for the 2022 tax year. Automobile, truck, motorcycle, camper, trailer, boat, motorhome, aircraft, or mobile homeowners should report changes online at: www.loudoun.gov/efile A filing notification with instructions about online filing has been mailed to each household of record.

The notification will indicate whether a filing is required or is optional for any vehicle owned in Loudoun County based on the vehicle type, the date the vehicle was located in Loudoun, and whether a filing was previously made on the vehicle.

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Unless otherwise instructed, please report corrections, unusually high mileage, unrepaired body damage, serious mechanical defect, address changes or the sale, move or disposal of any vehicle by February 15, 2022, online at: www.loudoun.gov/efile Newly acquired vehicles or vehicles recently entering Loudoun County must be reported to my office within 60 days of purchase or move to Loudoun County or one of its incorporated towns to avoid a 10% late filing penalty. Owners of vehicles in the County are subject to taxes beginning on the date the vehicle came to Loudoun, even if the vehicle displays out of state license plates.

Owners of vehicles displaying out-of-state license plates not otherwise exempt from obtaining Virginia license plates will be charged an additional annual license fee of $100. A $250 penalty may also be imposed on owners of vehicles that are not registered with DMV within 60 days of the owner’s having established residency in Virginia.

Military service members residing in Loudoun County who have separated from military service and were receiving a tax exemption due to claiming a domicile outside of Virginia should contact the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office to report their change in status so their exemption can be removed.

Loudoun County now bills for and collects personal property taxes and vehicle license fees for vehicle owners in all of Loudoun’s incorporated towns, including Hamilton, Hillsboro, Leesburg, Lovettsville, Middleburg, Purcellville, and Round Hill. Owners of vehicles within an incorporated town will receive a consolidated tax bill that includes both County and town taxes.

We encourage you to connect with us virtually since most transactions with our office can be completed online. For more information or filing assistance, please visit www.loudoun.gov/cor or contact the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue at cartax@loudoun.gov or 703-777-0260. Regular office hours are weekdays from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Robert S. Wertz, Jr. Commissioner of the Revenue Loudoun County

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FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Opinion Undermining the Foundation The battle over Sen. Bell’s telecommunications tower bill has quietly ended without action or an apology—at least until next year.

What is most remarkable about the controversy is the lack of recognition from the legislator that his proposal would undermine the foundation of local planning and zoning—processes mandated by the General Assembly. The State Code even lays out the Commission Permit process by which localities are supposed to assess the location and scale of public facilities, including towers like these. It’s an acknowledgement by state leaders that these structures can have a significant impact on the community—impacts local leaders have a responsibility to address.

Bell’s bill would not only remove cell towers from that special oversight, but effectively exempt them from all local planning policies and zoning regulations—creating a presumption that the public benefit outweighs neighborhood disruptions in every case.

Wouldn’t the owners in every industry love to have such carte blanche to impose their will across the landscape?

Even more disturbing is that the proposal comes as the fulfillment of a threat the senator made last year when county leaders voted to follow their Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance in denying an application to build a telecommunications monopole atop the Blue Ridge, rather than follow his demands that it be approved.

The mayor of Middleburg summed up that retaliation aptly, describing it as “an obscene use of government process and procedure for spite—and it is petty and childish.”

Clearly, land use decisions are best controlled at the local level, where those who misuse authority can be held to account quickly.

And in recognizing that role, Sen. Bell and our other state leaders can focus their attention on improving roads, expanding educational opportunity, using tax dollars more efficiently, and other priorities we sent them to Richmond to address. n

Norman K. Styer, Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com

Published by Amendment One Loudoun, LLC

EDITORIAL Renss Greene, Deputy Editor rgreene@loudounnow.com

15 N. King St., Suite 101 Leesburg, VA, 20176

Jan Mercker, Reporter jmercker@loudounnow.com

PO Box 207 Leesburg, VA 20178 703-770-9723

Kara C. Rodriguez, Reporter krodriguez@loudounnow.com Hayley Milon Bour, Reporter hbour@loudounnow.com ADVERTISING Susan Styer, Advertising Manager sstyer@loudounnow.com

Loudoun Now is delivered by mail to more than 44,000 Loudoun homes and businesses, with a total weekly distribution of 47,000.

Tonya Harding, Account Executive tharding@loudounnow.com Vicky Mashaw, Account Executive vmashaw@loudounnow.com

LETTERS to the Editor We Deserve Better Editor: You would think with all the controversy surrounding Loudoun County Public Schools, including national media exposure, school board demonstrations, firings and recalls and now a Virginia Attorney General’s investigation into malfeasance by the administration and School Board, that Mr. Zeigler would have proposed a budget for the coming year that could withstand serious review and questioning. But it just isn’t so.

Even a cursory review indicates that elements of his budget for the 202223 school year are unsubstantiated, inconsistent, and even deceptive.

First, the previous budget’s increase was based on 5,500 new students who never showed up for class last September. This year’s budget, based on an estimated increase of 3,000 new students, is also highly questionable. Loudoun real estate agents will tell you that with all the LCPS controversy, families aren’t moving to Loudoun for better schools. Many Loudoun families are sending or planning to send their kids to private and parochial schools. Families who reject LCPS policies and can’t afford the private schools are home schooling or leaving Loudoun for better school systems elsewhere.

Second, LCPS had a $60 million discretionary fund last year and another

$70.5 million windfall this year. How can LCPS ask for a 9.6% increase of $85 million more for this year without accounting for over $130 million in unallocated funds.

Third, the budget includes major funding for a new International Baccalaureate program, an advanced placement program for exceptional college bound students. The objective of this program is to “provide an internationally acceptable university admissions qualification suitable for the growing mobile population of young people whose parents were part of the world of diplomacy, international and multinational organizations.” However, last year LCPS played “woke” politics and rejected student exceptionalism when they changed the admissions criteria for the Academies of Loudoun and replaced it with de facto quotas and lower standards to promote diversity. Given their track record, can we really believe LCPS will institute a new program for gifted, college bound students?

Fourth, Mr. Zeigler proposes a 5% increase in teacher’s pay, including merit step increases. Taking out at least 2% for merit increases would leave teachers with only a 3% salary increase against inflation which is currently running at an annualized rate of 7% to 10%. Are they seriously proposing to cut the real pay for LETTERS TO THE EDITOR continues on page 29

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

PAGE 29

Readers’ Poll THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION:

What are your public park priorities?

With the new administration and General Assembly at work, how do you feel about the direction of the commonwealth?

LETTERS to the editor continued from page 28

Loudoun›s teachers next year.

Fifth, buried in the budget proposal is an additional $3.3 million and 13 new positions to meet future requirements for collective bargaining It seems odd that it will take more money and resources to negotiate with a union than it does to work independently with 5,500 teachers. But, in any case, funding for these positions is based on a weak assumption at best.

Bottom line, the School Board and administration should: 1) Give the teachers a decent raise that accounts for inflation, 2) Cut the proposed school budget back to 2021-22 levels, 3) Get unnecessary programs, like an International Baccalaureate, out of the budget, 4) Forget about collective bargaining, and 5) Start listening to parents and taxpayers instead of listening to themselves.

Loudoun County deserves better management of our schools, much, much better, and the Board of Supervisors has the responsibility to fix this problem during its review and approval of the LCPS 2022-23 budget.

— Tony Virgilio, Leesburg

The Romance Editor: Valentines Day allows us to reflect on how the Bonnie and Clyde romance of the 1930s is repeating itself today in Loudoun County.

No, I’m not referring to the romance between the two criminals themselves.

I’m referring to the romance between the smitten duo and the media.

You’ll remember from history that Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow brazenly stole money from banks and from

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mom-and-pop gas stations and grocery stores at gun point. Yet, despite the infamous duo’s dreadful deeds, they were adored by the journalists of that era and romanticized in news reports as heroes.

Today, we have, in effect, our own Bonnies and Clydes serving in positions of power on the Loudoun County School Board, and they, in turn, have their own adoring journalists who tend to write news reports in a manner that lovingly promotes the board’s policies.

Our Bonnies and Clydes, of course, have not stolen money from banks, gas stations and grocery stores like the original Bonnie and Clyde did. They have, however, stolen the childhoods of students and the rights of parents over the past two years. First, they closed schools for too long, and now they are keeping the students’ faces muzzled, while segregating the students who prefer to go maskless from those who prefer to wear masks.

To observe the romance between our journalists and Bonnies and Clydes, just read any story about the school board. One example is the Jan 24 Loudoun Times-Mirror story titled “LCPS: Masking protests a ‘non-event’,” and another is the Jan 27 Loudoun Now story titled “Maskless Monday: Some Students Isolated Amid Conflicting Mandates.”

In the Loudoun Times story, the journalist quoted an official who said, “We’ve had private messages coming in from stakeholders, expressing support for the mask mandate. Those supportive messages outweigh critical ones by a ratio of about 5:1.” The journalist, however, omitted exactly how many supportive messages. Was it 5, 10, 15, or what? We don’t know because the journalist just provided the ratio of 5:1, which by itself made it look like the board’s mask policy is a big hit. Ain’t love grand?

In the Loudoun Now story, in the

lead sentence, the journalist emphasized that “Some students defied the Loudoun County Public Schools masking policy this week.” Omitted from the lead paragraph is the fact that the school board itself defied Gov. Youngkin’s mask policy this week. So, you see, you are led to believe that students, not the board members, are the bad guys in this story.

Love conquers all.

While the romance between the media and the original Bonnie and Clyde eventually ended tragically, the romance between our journalists and Bonnies and Clydes will likely continue to flower.

Why? Perhaps because love is blind, and as Rush Limbaugh always used to say, “None is so blind as a journalist who does not want to see.”

— Mike Panchura, Sterling

Does Not Fit Editor: The Board of Supervisors recently passed several special exceptions that are going to harm the rural nature of Bles Park. This park has the highest density of flora and fauna in Loudoun County. We had more online signatures, voicemails, emails, letters, letters to the editor and comments in a shorter time about Bles Park than the county board received on any matter besides Metro. The supervisors ignored the recommendations of their own Planning Commission and constituents.

The first phase increases the impervious surface by 300,000 square feet with phase 2 adding 150,000 more square feet of impervious surface.

160 parking places, skateboard parks, pickleball and tennis courts, kayak launch and road plus parking places, dog park, nine pavilions this in a park that is at the confluence of Broad Run and the Potomac River. Juli Briskman is my supervisor in the Algonkian District and ran as an

environment friendly candidate, she has proven with her votes to up-zone all manner of projects to be anything but.

Fast forward to the Hidden Lane Landfill/Askergrens housing project.

By right 62 homes are allowed next to the wetlands and floodplain that makes up much of this property. Christopher Companies wants to build 124 homes on the dump.

Part of this buildout is on an EPA superfund site that has TCE, a degreaser polluting the wells in our district.

The proposed remediation is not foolproof and with more homes being switched to county water the level will rise in the fissures feeding wells in the rest of Broad Run Farms. Undetected TCE concentrations to be filtered through wells to the Potomac River. It has been 35 years since the landfill was closed. Thirty-six homes have filtration systems because of this pollution with an additional 88 threatened. Testing has focused on TCE and should have a more complete battery of tests completed before by right housing can proceed.

In addition to health concerns there is increased traffic, school population, impervious surface, unfiltered runoff, decreased safe areas for wildlife and indigenous flora. As with Bles Park, Christopher Companies has a wish list and will settle for any increase in density. Bait and switch ask for more than you want and settle for more than you need. The ideal remedy would be designating the area the Algonkian Wildness with minimal trails.

We tried the options available with the Bles Park proffer, failed miserably, the Hidden Lane is a build out that does not benefit the community nor the environment in any manner.

— Jonathan Erickson, Sterling

PAGE 30

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

Emergency continued from page 1 rolling 7-day average of new cases is at or above 50 per 100,000 people, and the percent of COVID-19 tests coming back positive is at or above 8%. As of Tuesday, Loudoun is averaging 55.4 new cases a day per 100,000 residents, and 16.8% of tests coming back positive for COVID-19.

And the state of local emergency, which was declared on March 16, 2020, could end almost two years to the day after it began. Hemstreet told supervisors that the county is looking at winding down operations at the Dulles Town Center vaccination clinic at the end of February, and bringing a recommendation to end the state of emergency to the board at a meeting in early March.

“At this point in time, the only thing that we’re using in terms of emergency powers is some authority around keeping the POD [Point of Distribution] open as a point of dispensing vaccinations. We are planning to close the POD at the end of February, so that would go away.” Hemstreet said. “… The only other thing that we’re using the state of emergency to do is, under the Code of Virginia, if you have a declared local emergency, it allows your advisory bodies to meet electronically.”

Gathering accurate information about COVID-19 cases in the community has become more difficult, said Loudoun Department of Health Director Dr. Da-

Loudoun judges continued from page 3 people feel they have been well served by me and their community,” she said.

Del. Terry Kilgore (R-1) cited his concerns about low scores for patience and courtesy. He said it was important for judges to make people feel welcome and comfortable in the courtroom.

“My granddad used to say, ‘it doesn’t cost anything to be nice.’ That’s my ad-

Mask mandate continued from page 1 tion guidance to the greatest extent practicable. The CDC still recommends masking in schools.

The Loudoun parents’ lawsuit, however, claims that the School Board is in violation of Senate Bill 1303 because their children are not permitted in school without wearing masks.

“You never know who you’re sitting by, or who you’re sitting with who has a serious medical issue.

So, although the mask is a pain, sometimes you wear the mask for the person sitting next to you.”

— County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large)

vid Goodfriend. That is not only because more people are using home tests rather than getting tested at doctors’ offices or other facilities—in other words, using tests that aren’t reported to the Health Department—but also because new guidance from the Youngkin administration no longer requires schools to report COVID-19 cases to the Health Department.

That also comes as vaccination rates among young people lag behind the rest of the population. In Loudoun, only 47.3% of people age 5-11 years are fully vaccinated.

“The 5-11’s are lagging, and that’s been a challenge, and it’s been a challenge particularly as we’re looking at how we keep our kids in school,” Goodfriend said.

But, he said, the trend downward is still evident.

“My optimistic hope is that with Omicron, since so many people in our community got infected—and thank God, not seriously infected if they were fully vaccinated—then that may decrease the risk of the next surge coming,” Goodfriend said.

“And maybe we get to it being a seasonal infection, where we take a booster shot each fall, like we do with the flu shot.”

The Omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 has shown itself to be extremely contagious, but generally less servere, especially with vaccines now widely available.

As some supervisors push to do away with masking, County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) shared a personal reason why she will keep wearing one: she was born with only one kidney, and that kidney is not fully healthy. People with kidney disease have been shown to be more at risk of serious illness from COVID-19.

“You never know who you’re sitting by, or who you’re sitting with who has a serious medical issue. So, although the mask is a pain, sometimes you wear the mask for the person sitting next to you,” Randall said.

She said she was thankful for her colleagues wearing masks around her.

“I am wearing this for everyone around me, and I think that’s what a society does,” she said. n

vice that I’m going to leave with you,” Kilgore said.

Sen. Jennifer B. Boysko (D-33), the only member of the Loudoun delegation with a seat on the House or Senate committees overseeing the courts, said she had experienced nothing but professional and positive interactions with Irby and looked forward to helping her in her next term.

Sen. J. Chapman Petersen (D-34) said he had appeared in cases in Irby’s courtroom and had no reservations.

Rachel Robinson, president of the

Loudoun County Bar Association, said she was shocked and surprised the see Irby’s name removed from the nomination list. No formal action is planned by the association at this time, she said, although individual attorneys are reaching out to share their views with legislators.

In the event Irby is not reappointed, Robinson said she expected there would be a separate nomination process to fill the open seat and that the local Bar would have the opportunity to vet candidates for the seat. n

The plaintiffs claim that the school division has caused irreparable harm to their children with the mask mandate, which they claim the board does not have authority to impose.

“Interpreting the School Board’s powers broadly enough to authorize the Universal Mask Mandate would put those powers in conflict with parents’ ‘fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education and care’ of their children,” the filing says.

The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction against the division’s masking policy.

They are represented by the D.C. law firm Jones Day. On Jan. 14, the first day of school following Youngkin’s action, about 100 students attended school without wearing masks. They were sent to auditoriums and gymnasiums, separated from the rest of the student body. School division spokesman Wayde Byard called “Maskless Monday” a non-event. n

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

K-9 Blood Bank continued from page 3 hospitals, and has as many as 300 additional hospitals calling throughout the year to access the blood supply.

Program Director Jocelyn Pratt said that the experience is a positive one for families and for their four-legged friends.

“Dogs are very treat-motivated and positive-reinforcement motivated. Positive experience for them, we get to know them see what they like and don’t like.

We go at their pace and make sure they’re comfortable,” Pratt said.

Pratt said that the blood bank team gets to know each dog to learn their likes and dislikes, to make their time at the blood bank full of fun and engaging play.

“We have over 350 donors so if that doesn’t tell you we’re doing something fun I don’t know what will,” she said.

Dogs who donate blood are treated to a free day of doggie daycare, and receive discounts at the vet and pet resort. And Pratt said donating has advantages for donor families.

“They get a big panel of bloodwork done, which is a big value. We tend to find lumps and bumps and ‘oh they’ve got a weird little skintag here,’ and otherwise they might not find that,” Pratt said.

To join the program, dogs must be 1 to 7 years old, healthy, current on vaccinations, and weigh over 40 pounds. The process begins with an initial screening. Once they’re approved, they do a health program with a veterinarian.

Families must be willing to donate every six to eight weeks, for a minimum commitment of one year, although many families stay with the program for several years.

Learn more at brvbb.com n

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

PAGE 31

‘This Ol’ Country Gal’:

Patsy Cline’s Loudoun Roots

BY TRAVIS SHAW

To people in these parts, Patsy Cline hardly needs an introduction, but most may be unaware of her connections to Loudoun County.

This singing superstar’s Loudoun roots will be celebrated at the Piedmont Heritage Area Association’s tribute Feb.12 in the Purcellville Tabernacle—the same venue where she performed at a 1957 New Year’s party.

Although known to the world as Patsy Cline, she was born Virginia Patterson Hensley in 1932, in Winchester to 16-year-old Hilda and 43-year-old Sam Hensley.

A metal worker and veteran of the Great War, Sam was hot-tempered and abusive. Because he had trouble keeping a job, he made his family itinerant. By one account, they moved at least a dozen times before Virginia was 15 years old. Throughout such hardship, uncertainty, trauma and forced mobility, Virginia found solace in music. Neighbors and friends recalled how she idolized Shirley Temple, and could often be found singing and dancing. By age eight, she learned to play piano by ear, and frequently sang alongside her mother in church gatherings.

During this period, her family’s wanderings brought Virginia to reside in Loudoun County. In 1941, at age nine, she moved with her family into a house on Loudoun Street in Round Hill, and attended the elementary school in town (now the Round Hill Support Center, located off High Street). The family did not long remain in Round Hill, however, departing to several locations across Virginia.

In 1945, Virginia experienced a life-changing event.

She was hospitalized with a severe throat infection. She later claimed her “heart stopped beating,” and the doctors “brought her back to life.” When she recovered, she found her voice was permanently altered, giving her a “voice that boomed like Kate Smith’s.” The next year, she was given her first opportunity to sing on the radio, at Winchester’s WINC. The family returned to Loudoun in 1947, renting a house at Sleeter’s Orchard, just west of Round Hill (site of today’s Hill High store). While living in Round Hill, Virginia attended the Lincoln School—the secondary school for students in western Loudoun. As an eighth-grader, she had a reputation for a hot temper, but a mature demeaner and appearance.

Before long, the family moved yet again, to a house on South Kent Street in Winchester. Sam then abandoned the family, leaving them “as poor as church mice.” Virginia dropped out of school and began working to support her family, waitressing at area restaurants and drug store food counters.

Despite her busy work schedule, Virginia continued to dream of being a famous singer/musician. She began performing at local theaters and on WINC radio. Her mother sewed elaborate western-style outfits for her, and

Patsy Cline in 1957

accompanied her to performances. She even drove the then 16-year-old Virginia to Nashville to audition for the Grand Ole Opry, only to find the age minimum was 18.

Undeterred, Virginia continued to appear at clubs and roadhouses around the Winchester area. By 1952, she linked up with local band leader Bill Peer, and with his “Melody Boys,” they played at venues throughout Northern Virginia, central Maryland, Washington, DC, and eastern West Virginia. It was Bill Peer who suggested that “Virginia” was too fancy, and she should take “Patsy” (derived from Patterson) as her stage name.

One of the band’s more frequent haunts was the Moose Lodge in Brunswick, MD, a railroad town whose roughand-tumble reputation did not deter western Loudouners from visiting. Crowds crossed the Potomac River from nearby Lovettsville and Purcellville to enjoy the raucous nightlife. During her performances at the Moose Lodge, Patsy met Gerald Cline of Frederick, MD, and in March 1953, he became her first husband.

Soon afterward, Patsy competed at the National Music Festival in Warrenton, where she won third place and was introduced to singer Jimmy Dean, star of the popular Washington radio and television show “Town and Country Time.” Patsy performed regularly with Dean and his “Texas Wildcats” through the next few years, and also fronted a local group known as the Kountry Krackers, appearing during the mid-1950s at venues throughout Maryland and Virginia.

In 1955, Patsy Cline signed her first record deal. Even

so, she remained a regional star. Her performances on Dean’s “Town and Country Time” show increased her popularity, but she found limited commercial success nationwide. That status would change in 1957, thanks to TV host and Loudoun resident Arthur Godfrey. Patsy flew to New York to appear on Godfrey’s nationally televised program, “Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts.” Performing on national television for the first time on Jan. 21, Cline won the night’s contest with the song “Walkin’ After Midnight.” Her performance took the country music world by storm; “Walkin’” reached number 2 on the Billboard Country charts and number 12 on the pop charts. Patsy performed on Godfrey shows several more times that year, and in August, released her first studio album.

Even while her national stature rose, Cline continued to perform locally. On New Year’s Eve 1957, she reunited with the Kountry Krackers for a show at the Purcellville Skating Rink (the Busch Tabernacle). Few of the partygoers could have guessed the extent of the recognition Patsy Cline was destined to achieve: The first woman inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame (posthumously in 1973), and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award (posthumously in 1995), in a career cut short at age 30 by her tragic death in a 1963 airplane crash.

Although her career was brief, she became one of the first female country superstars, and one of the first to see widespread crossover success in pop music. Her distinctive style continues to influence country music to this day, and she is remembered as a legend of 20th century music. Although she left Virginia for Nashville in 1960, she would always begin her performances by reminding the audience that she was an “ol’ country gal from Virginia.”

The ol’ country gal’s voice and songs return to Purcellville on Feb. 12. The public is invited to join the celebration. Tickets may be purchased online at piedmontheritage.org/events ($35 individuals, $60 couples, 12 and under free). Some of Patsy’s many big hits will be performed by Bess Putnam, Amy Potter and the Virginia Pickers Collective, and original recordings will be played between the live sets. n Travis Shaw is director of Education for the Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association. In Our Backyard is compiled by the Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition. For more information about the organization, go to loudouncoalition.org.

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